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The Educator Series 



R History 

of 

South Dakota. 

From Earliest Times. 



Compiled by 
Doane Robinson 

Revised by R. F. Kerr, Brookings, S. D, 



MITCHELL, S. D. 

THF EDUCATOR SCHOOL SUPPLY CO. 

PTBLISHERS. 

1907. 



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jtlBRARY or^NSBE^s] 
Two Copies «««.«».>.! 

MAB 30 1 '^08 



COPYRIGHTED 
1907 



Prefatory Note. 

In the following compilation the author has, so far as the 
earlier history is concerned, been compelled to rely upon the state- 
ments of previous writers, having no convenient method of verifying, 
from original sources, their statements. . In the main, iiowever, the 
writers relied upon are reputable historians and their authority is 
accepted with contidence. The aim of the compiler has been to 
tersely state every important (act of our state history in a manner 
bo make it easily remembered by the younger readers for whom iti 
is intended. Instead of giving credit to authorities by foot notes, 
as in the first edition, and without enumerating all the sources 
whence material lias been assembled, a general courteous acknowl- 
edgment is made to all whose original work has made this compilation 
possible. Sources are indicated at the end of each cliapter. 



CONTENTS 

Chapter I. Geological History. 

Chapter 11. ArchiBological History. 

Chapter III. The Indians. 

Chapter IV. Early White Exploration. 

Chapter Y. Political History. 

Chapter VI. Lewis and Clark Expedition. 

Chapter VII. The Fur Trade. 

Chapter VIII. First Military Invasion. 

Chapter IX. Dakota Previous to 1830. 

Chapter X. Visits of Catlin, Maximillian, Nicollet and Fremont. 

Cliapter XI. Decline of the Fur Trade — Geological Explorations — 

Father DeSmet — First Agricultural Settlement. 
Chapter XII. Settlement at Sioux Falls. 
Chapter XIII. Settlement of the Missouri Valley. 
Chapter XIV. Provisional Government at Sioux Falls. 
Chapter XV. The Territory erected. 
Chapter XVI. The Indian War. 
Chapter XVII. Steamboat Traffic— The New York Colony— Forts 

Dakota and James established. 
Chapter XVIII. The First Eailroads. 
Chapter XIX. Tlie Discovery of Gold. 
Chapter XX. The Great Dakota Boom. 
Chapter XXI. Division and Statehood. 
Chapter XXII. The Messiah War. 
Chapter XXIII. The Taylor Defalcation. 
Chapter XXIV. The Spanish War. 
Chapter XXV. Beginning a New Century. 
Chapter XXVI. Heroes and Noted Characters. 
Chapter XXVII. Literary Beginnings. 
Chapter XXVIII. Conclusion. 



A HISTORY OF SOUTH DAKOTA FROM 
THE EARLIEST TIMES. 



CHAPTER I. 
GEOLOGICAL. 



1. At the beginning the territory embraced within the present 
State of South Dakota, was deeply submerged under the primeval 
ocean. In the process of time, tiie internal forces of the earth threw 
up the Blaclj Hills region, which through the course of countless 
years was exposed and submerged, again and again, uniil thousands 
of feet of the surface rocks had been broken up, reduced to sand and 
clay, and distributed over the ocean-bed of that portion of the pres- 
ent state extending as far east as the Missouri River. 

2. The eastern portion of the state, too, had at different periods 
been exposed and submerged. Finally, however, the ocean drained 
away, leaving a gentle unbroken slope from the Black Hills down 
to the Missouri river, whicli at that period poured its irresistible 
flood, many times greater than at this time, down tlie present course 
of the James river. Tlie Grand river continued its course east, 
emptying into the Missouri, near the present city of Aberdeen. 
The mouth of the Cheyenne river was near Huron, and the White 
found its way into the Missouri, not far from the city of Mitchell. 

Tlie 



3. The cli- 
mate was sub-trop- 
ical. 

There was an 
over-abundance of 
humidity, and 
everywhere flour- 
ished great forests 
of pine, deciduous 
trees and palms, 
in the midst of 
which were vast 
marshes, abound- 
ing with all man- 
ner of horrible 
reptiles, and later 




6 A HISTORY OF 

with mcnstrous animals, remains of wliose skeletons are even yet 
not infrequently found within the state. 

4. Among the earliest of these, in order of time, were the 
various species of labyrinthodonts. Tiiese were a large species of 
salamander, or lizard, covered with enameled plates, well adapted 
to crawling through marshes and shallow seas. Following these 
came reptiles of gigantic size and strange form, resembling birds 
and quadrupeds, living on vegetation, on helpless shell fish, and 
upon one another. Chief of these reptile forms was the atlantosaurus, 
the largest land animal whicli so far as known ever existed. Con- 
temporaneously with these gigantic reptiles also came the first 
mammals, insignificant creatuies, not larger than rats. 

5. In the next geological period came the mosasaurus, which 
resembled a large sea serpent, witli slender body covered with shining 
scales, four paddles and a flattened tail, with large formidably armed 
jaws. Tliis was in the cretaceous age. 

6. In the miocene, the next geological age, these great reptiles 
had entirely disappeared; and huge mammals appeared in abund- 
ance, which rivaled the largest mammoth in size. The brontotheri- 
ums were of a low build and much in the form of the rhinoceros, 
or tapir. Remains are also found of oreodons of three or four 
species, varying in size from a small sheep to the larger deer, and 
which resembled the deer in slender build and graceful form, but 
from their teeth, it has been determined that they belonged to the 
pig family. 

7. Following these came the reign of many elephant-like ani- 
mals, as the mastodon, mammoth titanothere and elothere. There 
were also musk-oxen and horses of several species. This race of 
animals appears to have been overwhelmed and destroyed by the 
on-coming of the glacier. 

8. The glacial period entirely changed the natural features of 
South Dakota. The ice sheet spread down from the northeast and 
extended as far west as the present Missouri valley, completely 
damming the then valley of the Missouri, now the James valley, 
and turning the waters of the river back into a vast lake, which 
occupied the entire upper valley of the Missouri. 

9. Wlien this lake had filled to the level of the western edge 
of the ice sheet, which was high upon the plateau that extended 
eastward from the Black Hills, it naturally trickled out along the 
edge of the ice, until the present Missouri valley was carved out, 
like the vast ditch tliat it is, one hundred miles or more west of 
the original course of that stream. 

10. The ice first disappeared from the eastern part of the state, 
leaving the old Missouri valley well dammed up, and by a process 
similar to the formation of the new Missouri valley, the water, cut- 
ting around the eastern side of the remnant of the ice sheet, carved 
out the Sioux valley which is also high on the eastern plateau. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 




11. The stu- 
dent will observe 
that at the present 
time, upon a line 
cutting the central 
portion of the state 
from east to west, 
at about the loca- 
tion of Brookings, 
Huron and Pierre, 
the Sioux river is 
more than three 

hundred feet higher than the James, and the ^lissouri is about two 
hundred feet higher than the James, and that throughout the state, 
the Missouri averages one hundred fifty feet higher than the James. 
The map and profile published with this chapter indicate the pres- 
ent and original features of the state, and the approximate eleva 
tions of the several streams. 

12. The present Missouii river, which divides the state into 
very nearly equal parts, also is the approximate line of division 
between two distinct qualities of soil; that portion of the state east 
of the Missouri river being covered with glacial drift, while the 
portion west of the river is covered with a deposit derived from tlie 
action of the primeval ocean in grinding and reducing to sand and 
clay the rocks of the mountainous district to the west, and which 
by wave action was spread over the territory as far east as the 
Missouri liver. 

SOURCES: — 

Prof. J. E. Todd's Preliminary Report. 

Geology of South Dakota. 

Prof. Henry F. Osbcrn's "Prehistoric Quadrupeds," Century 
Magazine, Sept. 1896. 



CHAPTER II. 
ARCH^OLGICAIv. 

1. South Dakota is not rich In archgeologlcal remains, yet 
there is suflQcient evidence to determine that the locality was inhabi- 
ted by Indians of considerable intelligence and industry prior to the 
occupancy of the races found by the white discoveries. Mounds are 
found in many localities, and it is not always easy to distinguish be- 
tween those built by the later Indian races and those of their more 
Ingenious predecessors. From such evidence, however, as remains 
It is known that the Sioux or Dakota tribe, which dominated the 
territory at the time of and after, the white settlement, was of 
comparatively recent occupancy. Their immediate predecessors 
were the Arickaras, or Rees, a remnant of which still existed with- 
in the state in the early portion of tlie present centuiy, while the 
Rees had been preceded by a more intelligent tribe whose history is 
now lost. 

2. The most important aichgelogocial remains which conclus- 
ively indicate the occupancy by a pre-historic race of Indians of 
greater industry and intelligence than the later tribes, are near 
Pierre, where is found a strong fortification enclosing one hundred, 
thirty acres of ground, admirably located for strategic and defensive 
purposes, and laid out with a skill which challenges the admiration 
of modern military engineers. Within this fortification, and on 
what was evidently the site of a town nearby, are found remnants of 
pottery, indicative of a high artistic sense. Instruments of temp- 
ered copper are also found, indicating that their possessors were the 
masters of an art, now lost to man. The walls of the fortification 
still remaining are very heavy, resembling a railroad embankment, 
and could only have been erected by an industry never exhibited by 
eitlier of the later tribes. 

3. There are similar, but not very well defined fortifications 
in tlje vicinity of Chamberlain, in the vicinity of Grass Postofflce, 
Campbell County and within the limits of the present city of Ver- 
milion, all of those mentioned being upon prominent points com- 
manding the Missouri valley. Near old Fort Wadsworth in 
Marsliall County are also mounds, which were examined by Captain 
A. J. Comfort of the regular army, and who pronounced them of 
pre-Indian origin. 

4 The reports of Lewis and Clark, upon their expedition 
through this territory in 1804, tell of the discovery of important pre- 
historic earth works, but it has since been conclusively sliown that 
these were not the work of man, but had been thrown up by the 
action of the wind and water. 

5. Recent excavations in Brown County have revealed skele- 



SOUTH DAKOTA 9 

tons of great age, which some people believe are not those of Indians, 
but of a people of greater intelligence and refinement. Burial 
mounds are found very generally throughout the state, but in the 
absence of evidence to the contrary, are assumed to have been of 
Indian origin. 

SOURCES:— 

Dr. De LormeW. Robinson, Monthly South Dakotan, Nov. 1898. 
Dr. Eliot Coues, The Exploration of Lewis and Clark. 
Prof. T. H. Lewis, American Archaeologist. 



CHAPTER III. 
THE INDIANS. 

1. The earliest Indian occupancy of blie Soutli Dakota territory 
is largely a matter of tradition. This much, however, is Ifnown. 
In 1700 the Missouri valley, from the neighborhood of the mouth of 
the White Elver nortli to the north state line, v^as peopled by the 
Arickatas, or Ree Indians. This people was an off-shoot of the 
Pawnee tribe, a fact wliich is determined by the root-words of their 
language, but wliose only traditions when the white men came among 
them, were that they came from the south. They had occupied 
the valley for a century or more before the advent of white men. 

2. The Rees lived in villages composed of earth lodges, roofed 
with poles supported by crotched posts and covered with willows 
and earth. These lodges were commodious and afforded protection 
to the Indian families, their supplies and domestic animals. They 
were a peaceful people and cultivated the soil to a considerable 
extent, depending for food about equally upon tl)e products of the 
soil and buffalo meat, their home being in the very heart of the 
vast buafflo ranges Eemnants of their villages are found at 
Chamberlain, Pierre, on the Cheyenne, at the mouth of the Grand 
river, and also in the Ree valley, within the present county of Hand. 

3. In 1700 tlie Mahas, or as more recently named, theOmahas, 
occupied tlie soutlieastern portion of the state, with villages en the 
"Vermilion and Sioux rivers. Tlieir principal village was at Sioux 
Falls, They were a powerful and warlike tribe, living in tepees, 
similar to those of the Sioux or Dakota Indians. They lived by 
the chase, and the great herds of buffalo and antelope afforded them 
an abundance of food. 

4. The Poncas, an off-shoot of the Omahas, Ijad their principal 
village at Bigstone Lake, and ocaupied the adjacent territory. 
They were weaker tlian the Omahas but possessed many of the habits 
and characteristics of their ancestral tribe. They were driven from 
their hunting grounds by the Dakotas before 1700 and had located 
themselves in Southern Nebraska. 

5. As late as 1700 there was a small village cf lowas, also 
of Siouan origin located on the lower James river. 

6. It is doubtful if, at the date of tlie discovery of America, 
the Dakota Indians had penetrated into tlie South Dakota region 
at all. This people, the most powerful tribe on the continent, lia'^e 
no traditions of their origin. So far as known they originated Id 
the Lake Region between the Mississippi river and the Great Lakes. 
When the first white man came among them they were already 
divided into two distinct divisions, the M'dewakantons, or Dakotas 



SOUTH DAKOTA 11 

of the Lakes, and the Tetonvvans, cr Dakotas of the Prairies. Of the 
former, the Santees were the principal tribe. Of the latter, the 
Yanktons and Tetons were the chief representatives. Tlie Teton 
Sioux, powerful, airogant and warlike, gradually pushed to tlie 
southwest, driving the Poncas and Omahas before them, until they 
came to the Missouri river, pressed upon the Rees until they gave 
up one settlement after another, and receded up the Missouri, until 
at the beginning of the present century, they were entrenclied in a 
strong village at and above tlie mouth of Grand river. By this 
time the Yanktons had overrun the entire southeastern portion of 
the present state, with their principal villages at the moutli of the 
James and Vermilion. Tiie Tetonwans further noith liad made 
the centre of tlieir occupancj at the mouth of the Bad river, at the 
present site of the town of Fort Pierre. Other bands of tlie Teton 
Sioux, chiefly the Sisseton and Wahpetons, settled about the old 
home of the Poncas at Bigstone Lake, and Lake Traverse, where 
they remain to th« present day. 

7. At the present time, the Indian population of South Dakota 
Is comprised in the Sisseton and Wabpeton bands of Sioux, who have 
severed their tribal relations, and are established upon lands in 
seveialty in the northeast corner of the state; the Flandieau band 
of Santee Indians, who are quite civilized and reside on farms In 
the vicinity of Flandreau: the Yanktons, who have also taken their 
lands in severalty at Y^ankton Agency, in (Jharles Mix County; 
a party of Yanktonais, and Santees transferred from the Mississippi 
valley to the Crow Creek Agency, north of Chamberlain, in Brule 
County; the Cheyenne Sioux of the Teton family, at the Forest City 
Agency, on the Missouri river, opposite Forest City in Potter County; 
the Brule Sioux, an off-shoot of the Tetons, at Brule Agency, below 
the mouth of Medicine Creek on the Missouri river; the Rosebud 
Sioux, also Tetons, about one hundred miles west of the Missouri 
river, and near the south line of the state; the Pine Ridge Sioux, 
also Tetons, at the south line of the state, just east of the Black 
Hills. Tlie Cheyennes, Biules, Rosebud, and Pine Ridge Indians 
are all semi-civilized and are engaged to a greater or less extent In 
agriculture and slock laising. Many of them have vast herds of 
horses and cattle and are wealthy. 

SOURCES:— 

Le Seuer; Donaldson; Catlin; Washington Irving; Magazlna of 
American History, April 1880. 



CHAPTER IV. 

EARLY WHITE EXPLORATIONS. 

1. Who the first white man was to visit the territory embraced 
within the present state of South Dakota, will probably never be 
Ijnown. When the discovery of the vast wealth of the Mexicans 
was made by Cortez in 1581, the greed of the Spanish nation was 
Inflamed, and hundreds of adventurers set out hoping to malie similar 
discoveries and conquests. 

2. Nunez de Guzman was a rival of Cortez, and had been 
appointed by the Spanish government governor of the northern 
section of Mexico. Upon one oi his raids north of the Eio Grande, 
he captured a Texan Indian and juade him a slave of his household. 
This Indian told Guzman marvelous stories of cities located in the 
mountains very far to the north, in a section abounding in gold and 
precious stones, and the Spanish adventurers were notslow to under- 
take to locate these treasure-spots. Little of record is left to indicate 
the result of these earliest adventures, further than that certain 
unnamed Spaniards penetrated very far to the north into mountains, 
where they were disappointed in finding neither cities nor indicat- 
ions of gold. It is barely possible that they, may have reached the 
Black Hills country. 

3. In 1536 De Vaca and Stephen the Moor, with two compan- 
ions, being the remnant of De Narvaez's expedition to Florida, 
arrived at the City of Mexico, after having travelled through the 
heart of the continent for several years. They too, brought extra- 
vagant stories of seven cities in the far north which rivalled in 
splendor the capital of the Montezumas. The representations made 
by these wanderers, lead the Spanish government to commission 
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado to march with an army to subjugate 
these rich seven cities of Cibola. Coronado marched from the City 
of Mexico to the villages of the Pueblo Indians on the Rio Grande, 
which were undoubtedly the seven cities of which De Vaca and 
Steplien had told such marvellous tales. Being disappointed in not 
finding the reported gold, they treated the inhabitants with great 
severity. Learning that the Spaniards were in search of gold and 
cities of great splendor, one of the Pueblos, whom the Spaniards 
nicknamed "The Turk," volunteered to lead them to the places for 
wliich they were seeking, and setting out, conducted Coionado on a 
weary march across New Mexico, the Indian Territory, Kansas, and 
certainly as far as the Platte river in Nebraska. The exact north- 
ern point of Coronado's exploration is not definitely known, and he 
may have come as far as the Missouri river. Here, "The Turk" 
acknowledged that he knew nothing whatever of cities of gold and 



SOUTH DAKOTA 13 

silver, but that he had lead the Spaniards away to starve and die in 
the desert, for tlie purpose of ridding liis people, tlie Pueblos, of 
their cruel dominance. Thereupon, Coronado hanged "Tlie Turk," 
set up a cross and marched back to Mexico. On tiie strength of tills 
expedition Spain claimed all of tiie western half of the continent, 
on tiie ground of discoveiy. 

4. There is a tradition that in the year 1654, two Frenchmen 
passed down the Missouri river, trading and bartering witli the 
Indians for furs. Tlie names of these pioneers are not stated. 

5. Marquette's map, made in the year 1673 and published in 
1681, with fair accuracy delineates the physical features of the 
Dakota country. It is certain that Marquette liimself did not visit 
tlie section, but had his information from intelligent discoverers. 

6. Late in the seventeentli century M. Le Seuer was sent by 
Frontenac, Governor of New France, from Montreal to maintain peace 
between the Chippewas and Dakotas and to establish trade with tlie 
Indians of the far west. Le Seuei came west and established posts 
on the St. Cioix and Mississippi rivers. During his stay in the west, 
and about the year 1695, Le Seuei made a hasty but observant trip 
In tlie direction of tlie Missouri river. The exact points visited by 
him cannot now be known, but from his notes, it is evident that he 
may have visited some of the tribes in southeastern South Dakota. 
He then returned to France and secured a license, or patent, from 
the French government to mine copper west of the Mississippi river, 
and returning by way of Xew Orleans, tlie Mississippi and the 
Minnesota rivers, he built a fort on the Blue Earth, not far from 
the present city of Mankato, Minnesota. From this point, he again 
visited southeastern South Dakota, and made quite full and accurate 
notes upon the Indian tribes of the section. 

7. At this period, that is in 1700 and before, the French had 
established a trading post at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and had 
engaged in the fur trade with the western Indians, as far as the 
Omahas at tlie falls in the Sioux river, and had established an over- 
land trail from Prairie du Chien directly west to Sioux Falls. 

8. The first authentic account of. a visit to South Dakota by a 
white man was that of the younger Verendrye, in the year 1743. 
He had visited the Mandan villages in what is now North Dakota 
in 1738, with his father. They returned to Canada and after the 
death of the father the young man determined to make another 
attempt to reach the "Shining Mountains" described by the Indians. 
He set out on the new enterprise in 1742 and after innumerable 
hardships reached the Big Horn mountains only to find them a bar- 
rier to further progress westward. Turning back, he travelled in a 
southeasterly direction, skirted the Black Hills and reached the 
Missouri river near tlie mouth of the White river. Here he planted 
a leaden plate on which was inscribed the arms of France and on 
April 2d, 1743, started up the Missouri to the Mandan villages. This 
leaden plate if ever discovered would be of inestimable value. From 



u 



A HISTORY OF 




SECTION OF A CHART 
OF 

LOUSIANA 

by 
WILLIAM DE L'ISLE 

of the 
Royal Academy of Science 

Drawn from the notes of M. Le Seuer, about 1720. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 15 

that time forward, traders and trappers were constantly on the upper 
Missouri. Tliey, however, left no record of value. 

9. In 1745, the French government, for some unexplained 
reason, determined to discontinue trade with the Dakota Indians, 
and dispatclied M. de Lusigan to the Dakotas of the Lakes and 
Plains, to call in the couieurs des bois who dwelt among them, bub 
he discovered that the Englisli were "endeavoring to interlope with 
these Indian nations," and it was decided to license more French 
traders to go among the Dakotas. De Lusigan was at iHigstone 
Lake on this trip, and perhaps proceeded to tlie Missouri, but ttiat 
he did so is not certain. 

10. In 1763, when by the Treaty of Paris, Canada was ceded 
by France bo England, tlie King of England issued a proclamation 
reserving as crown lands the territory west of the Alleghany moun- 
tains; and all subjects were forbidden to purcliase any of said lands 
from the Indians, or to settle upon them, "and all persons wlio have 
willfully or inadvertently seated themselves upon any lands west of 
the limit mentioned, are warned forthwith to remove tliemselves 
from such settlement." Prior to this time, the Hudson Bay Com- 
pany, whicii liad tlien existed more than ninety years under a cliarter 
granted by Charles II, in 1670, to trade in tlie territory surrounding 
Hudson's Bay, had undertaken to push its traffic to the tribes of tlie 
Missouri, and to that end had erected a line of small posts up the 
Red River, and down tlie Sioux to the Missouri in French territory, 
and had trafficked there for several years. Some of these posts were 
witliin South Dakota. It is now definitely known that one of the 
above mentioned posts was located on, or near, the present site of 
Elkpoi- L, in the year 1755, when the others were established. Their 
occupation was not continuous. Although the Mississippi was tlie west- 
ern boundary of Canada, ceded to England in 1763, and tlie territory 
west of the Mississippi having been by the same treaty ceded to Spain, 
nevertheless, upon the issuance of tlie crown lands reservation procla- 
mation the London managers, of the Hudson's Bay Company, hastily 
dispatched raessengeis to America, and witlidrew their business from 
the Missouri. It is suggested that this course was prompted more 
by inability to compete with profit, with the prices paid for pelts 
by tlie French traders irom New Orleans, than by loyalty to the King. 

11. In 1783, tlie North West Fur Company was chartered, and 
at once entered into competition with the Hudson's Bay Company 
for the nortliwest fur trade. One of their posts was established at 
the head of Bigstone Lake. 

12. The Winter Counts kept by the Teton Dakotas say that 
the American flag was carried in 1790 by soldiers to the neigliborhood 
of Ft. Pierre, where all of the tribes were visited. This fact is 
attested by at least three different Counts kept by separate individ- 
uals, and in remote localities. The War Department, however, 
has no record of such an expedition, and as tlie territory at that 
time belonged to Spain, it appears improbable that the flag could 



16 A HISTORY OF 

have been borne by American soldiers. It is probable that it was 
carried by some white adventurer. ^r^'TI^.t^t^ 

13. In 1796, M. T. Loisel, a Frenchman from St. Louis, 
erected what was perhaps the first substantial structure to be built 
by a white man, within the state's limits. This was a trading 
post, protected by a stockade. It was located on Cedar Island a 
shoit distance below the present site of the city of Pierre. This 
post was burned in 1816. At the close of the eighteenth century, 
fur trading with the Indians and trapping were well established 
industries all along the Missouri river and at-Bigstone Lake within 
South Dakota. 

SOURCES: — 

Helps Spanish Conquest in America. 

Nebraska Historical Collections. 

Prescott's Conquest of Mexico. 

Andreas' Atlas. 

Weill's Minnesota. 

Wisconsin Historical Annals. 

Le Seuers' Journals. 

Annual Report. Bureau of Ethnol, 1882—3. 

Dr. Eliot Coues Notes. 



en AFTER V. 
POLITICAL. 

1. As stated in the preceding Chapter, Spain basing its claim 
upon the Coronado expedition, laid claim to all of the northwest, 
Including the Soutli Dakota territory. It does not appear, however, 
that she did anything to make good her claim for nearly a century. 
In the meantime, the Frencli had pushed westward from Canada, 
and claimed all of the territory, under the name of l!^ew France, 
and had established trading posts at various points in tlie northwest, 
reacliing them both from Canadian route and by way of the Missis- 
sippi rivor, taking formal possession in I67L 

2. On September 17, 1712, tlie French King granted to Antliony 
Crozat, a merchant of Paris, a patent to all of the territory between 
the Alleghany and Rocky Mountains, for a period of twenty-five 
years. Five years later, Crozat relinquislied his claim and tlie grant 
was made over to Jolin Laws' Mississippi Companv in tlie year 1717, 
and trading posts were immediately established at various points on 
the Mississippi and lower Missouri livers. Tliis French activity 
aroused the Spaniards, and in 1720 tliey dispatched an expedition 
from Santa Fe against the Frencli on tlie Osage (Missouri) river. 
This expedition was lost. 

3. Law's scheme, known astlie "Mississippi Bubble, " collapsed 
in 1720 and in 17.32 the Mississippi Company surrendered its charter. 
On April 10th of that year, tlie King of France assumed the direct 
government of the Mississippi and Missouri valleys. The entire 
province of Lousiana at this time had but five thousand white and 
twenty-five liundred colored population. 

4. In 1762 the Governor of Louisiana granted to Laclede and 
others the exclusive right to trade on the upper Missouri. In 1764 
Laclede founded the city of St. Louis, wliich lie used as a base of 
operations, and pushed his enterprises far up the Missouri. About 
that time, Canada was captured by tlie English, who now held the 
country as far west as the Mississippi river. Most of tlie Frencli 
farmers from the Illinois side of the river, refusing to submit to 
English authority moved over to St. Louis and generally engaged in 
the more profitable fur business. In 1763 the section west of the 
Mississippi was given to Spain, who exercised sovereignty over it 
until 1800, wlien Spain ceded the province back to France. 

5. On October 19, 1803, Louisiana, wliich included the present 
territory of South Dakota, was ceded by the Great ]Jsapoleon, then 
First Consul of tlie French Republic, to tlie United States. 

6. On March 26, 1804, Congress attached the District of Louis- 
iana to the Territory of Indiana, for judicial and administrative 



18 ■ A HISTORY OF 

purposes. The formal transfer of Upper Louisiana did not take 
place until March, 1804. Delassus, the Spanish lieutenant-governor, 
ruled the country till March 8, on the next day the reins of govein- 
inent were delivered over to the French agent, and on tlie 10th the 
territory became the property of the United States. In three days 
this portion of Louisiana belonged to three different nations. 

7. In 1805, Congress changed the District of Louisiana to the 
Territory of Louisiana, and provided for its government. The 
President appointed James Wilkinson, governor, Frederick Bates, 
secretary, Eeturn J. Meigs and John B. C. Lucas, as judges. St. 
Louis continued the capital. By Act of Congress in 1812, the State 
of Louisiana having been admitted, tiie remainder, including the 
present state of South Dakota, became the territory of Missouri, 
and from the time of tlie admission of the state of Missouri, in 1821 
until 1834 no government was provided for the section north of 
Missouri and west of the Mississippi. 

8. In 18.34 the Territory of Michigan was extended west to the 
Missouri river, including eastern half of South Dakota. 

9. In 183H, Wisconsin Territory was organized to include all 
of the territory north of Missouri and east of tlie Missouri river, 
which included the eastern half of South Dakota. 

10. In 1838, Iowa Territory was erected to embrace all of the 
territory north of Missouri and between the Mississippi and Missouri 
rivers. 

11. In 1849, the eastern hall of South Dakota became a part 
of Minnesota Territory. From 1821 until the erection of IS^ebraska 
Territory in 1854, no goverinnent was provided for the portion of the 
state lying west of tlje Missouri. In 1854 that portion was made a 
part of Nebraska. 

12. In 1861, Dakota Territory was erected to embrace all of 
the territory west of Minnesota to the Rocky Mountains. In 1869 
Montana was cut off from the west of Dakota Territory. In 1889 
Dakota Territory was divided near the forty-sixth parallel and South 
Dakota became a state in the Union. 

SOURCES:— 

Chronology of Wisconsin. 

Monette's History of Mississippi Valley. 

Murick's Stories of Missouri. 



CHAPTER VI. 
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION. 

L In the month of January, 1803, anticipating the cession of 
Louisiana to the United States, President Tliomas Jefferson secured 
authority from Congress to dispatch a small detachment of regular 
soldiers on an exploring expedition by way of the Missouri river to 
tlie Pacific coast. This expedition President Jefferson placed In 
charge of Captain Merryweather Lewis, his private secretary, with 
Wm. Clark, as first assistant. The explorers were charged with the 
duty of examining tlie country along the route, becoming acquainted 
with the various Indian tribes and winning tlieir friendsliip and 
good will. Before the expedition started, the cession of Louisiana 
to the United States had been consummated, and Captains Lewis 
and Clark were furtlier instructed to secure an acknowldgeraent of 
the sovereignty of the United States over the several Indian tribes. 

2. On jNlay 14, 1804, the party, consisting of forty-three men, 
including soldiers, boatmen, guides, interpreters, etc., embarked 
in two pirogues and one bateau, entered the Missouri river and 
started upon their long journey. 

This expedition excited the liveliest interest throughout the 
country, in which President .lefferson fully shared. He watched it 
with tlie greatest solicitude and when information from it came 
back at the end ot the first year, he promptly transmitted it to 
Congress. 

3. The expedition slowly moved up the river but did not reach 
the moutli of the Lig Sioux and consequently the territory now 
embraced within South Dakota, until August 21, 1804. Their first 
night passed on the Dakota side was the night of August 22d and 
23d, wiiicli was spent on the site of the present city of Elkpoint. 
Here Patrick Gass was elected as successor to Sergeant Charles Floyd 
who died two days before, near the site of Sioux City. On the 
morning of August 23d, on the meadow three or four miles west of 
Elkpoint, tiiey came upon their first herd of buffalo, and Captain 
Lewis killed one of tliem from whicii they salted two barrels of meat. 

4. Nothing further of noteworthy interest occurred until 
August 25th when the commandants took a party of eight men and 
visited Spirit Mound, eight miles north of the Vermilion liver where 
the Indians inliabiting the section believed tliat a race of pigmies 
lived, possessing supernatural power, and of wliom the natives stood 
in mortal fear. It is needless to add that they were disappointed 
in locating the little people. On August 27, the party took dinner 
at tlie mouth of tlie James river, and camped that night at Green 
Island, opposite Yankton. The next day, they held their first 
council with the Dakota Indians on the ames river, about six miles 
northeast of Yankton. At this council they became acquainted 



20 A HISTORY OF 

with the famous Indian "Struck by the Pawnee," later trnown as 
"Strike tlie Eee, " who was then a young man, but already a leader 
among the Indians. 

5. On August 29th, they held another council with the Indians 
on what is known as Smutty Bear Bottom, three or four miles west 
of Yankton. They camped for some days on Bon Homme Island. 
At Choteau Creek they found their flrst herd of antelope which they 
called goats and named the stream Goat Creek. 

6. It was not until the 7th of September that they reached 
Trudeau's trading house, one of the flrst buildings erected by white 
men in Dakota, which was located near Wheeler, Charles Mix County. 
"Wliile stopping here they found a prairie dog town, and also the 
remains of a Saurian, foity feet in length, which thev sent to Wash- 
ington, and which is still preserved in the National Museum. 

7. On the 15th of September they passed the moutli of White 
liver, and the 19th and 20th were spent in passing around the Great 
Bend. 

8. On the 22d of September, bhey stopped at Loisel's Stockade 
and trading house, which was erected on Cedar Island, not far fronq 
the present location of De Grey postoffice, in Hughes County. 

9. On tlie 24th of September, they arrived at tlie mouth of 
Bad river, where Foit Pierre now is, remained four days and held a 
council with the Teton Sioux. This tribe was in an ugly mood and 
jt required considerable persuasion and a show of force before they 
were finally induced to let the party proceed up the river. This was 
the third council which they had held upon South Dakota soil. 

10. A few miles north of the Cheyenne, they came upon a 
party of Frenchmen who had a trading post there. This post was 
owned and operated by John Valle, who had passed the previous 
winter three hundred miles up the Cheyenne. 

11. On the night of the .5th of October, wiiile camped at the 
mouth of the Cheyenne, a white frost fell, the first of the season. 
On October 7th they arrived at the Moreau, where they found a 
winter camp of Arickaras, containing sixty lodges. On the 8th, 
they arrived at another Ree town of sixty lodges. Here they found 
several Frenchmen, permanently domiciled with the Indians. These 
Indians supplied the party with an abundance of beans, corn and 
squashes. They held a council here, as they did at two other Ree 
villages before passing the forty-sixtli, parallel, wlilch Is now the 
north line of this state. 

12. Lewis and Clark camped that winter north of Mandan, 
and the next year, 1805, proceeded to the Pacific Coast at the mouth 
of the Columbia and returned over the same route in the year 1806. 
Their safe arrival at St. Louis filled tiie land with joy and enthusi- 
asm. Celebrations were held everj where. 

SOURCES :- 

Jefferson Papers. 
Journal of Patrick Gass. 



CHAPTER VII. 
THE FUR TRADE. 

1. After the return of Lewis and Clark, the Missouri river 
became a thoroughfare for the adventurous spirits of America. So 
much so that tlie travelers of this time, in the summer season, 
passed white men ascending and descending the river almost daily. 

2. Up to this time, fur trading on the Missouri had been 
largely carried on by individual enterprise but in the year 1808, 
Messrs. Pierre Choteau, Jr. and Manuel Lisa, and other merchants 
of St. Louis, organized the American Fur Company, and began trade 
in fuis, on a scale only second to that of the Hudson's Bay Company 
of the English. 

3. Mr. John Jacob Astor of New York City, was an extensive 
trader in northwestern furs, and to further his business interests had 
projected the settlement of an American colony at the mouth of the 
Columbia river. In 1810 a Mr. Hunt, a partner in the Astor enter- 
prise conducted a party of trappers and boatmen across the continent, 
by way of the Missouri river to the Columbia. He was accompanied 
on the trip by two naturalists, Mr. Bradbury, a geologist, and Mr. 
Nuttall, a botanist, each of whom kept journals of the trip and 
afterwards published them. 

4. From the notes kept by Mr. Hunt, Washington Irving, the 
celebrated author, afterwards wrote the History of Astoria. The 
party arrived in the Dakota country about the middle of May, 1810. 
The Dakota Indians manifested a good deal of hostility to the passage 
of this expedition, and rendered the voyage a rather perilous one. 
Its chief interest, as related to the history of Dakota, lies in the 
fact that the party left the Missouri river at the Ree villages at the 
nortli line of the state and passed westward up the valley of the 
Grand river, and losing their course, fell to the south, into the 
northern portion of the Black Hills, and were the first white men 
to visit that section of Soutli Dakota, Their descriptions of the life 
and habitations of the Ree Indians were the most detailed of any 
which were written before their removal to the Fort Berthold Reser- 
vation and are, for that reason, a valuable addition to the history of 
the state. 

5. Mr. Irving gives this account of tlie Ree village: "It was 
divided into two portions, about eighty yards apart, being inhabited 
by two distinct bands. The whole extended about tliree-quarters 
of a mile along the river bank, and was composed of conical lodges 
that looked like so manv hillocks, being wooden frames intertwined 
with osier. Wliile we were regarding the village, we beheld 
a strange fleet coming down the river. It consisted of a number of 
canoes, each being made of a single buffalo liide, stretched on sticks, 



22 A HISTORY OF 

SO as to form a kind of circular trough. Each one was navigated by 
a single squaw, who knelt in the bottom and paddled, towing after 
her frail bark a bundle of floating wood intended for firing. This 
kind of canoe is in frequent use among the Indians, the buffalo hide 
being readily made into a bundle and transported on horses. * * The 
traders landed amid a rabble crowd and were received on the bank 
by the left handed chief, who conducted them into the village with 
grave courtesy, driving to the right and left the swarms of old 
squaws, imp-like boys and vagabond dogs, witi) wliich the place 
abounded. They wound their way between the cabins which looked 
like dirt heaps without any plan, and surrounded by old palisades, 
all filthy in the extreme and redolent with villianous smells. At 
lengtli they arrived at the council-lodge. It was somewhat spacious 
and formed of four forked trunks of trees, placed upright, supporting 
cross-beams and the frame of poles woven with osiers, and the whole 
covered with eartli. A hole sunken in the centre formed the fire- 
place, and immediately above was a circular hole in the apex of the 
lodge to let out the smoke and let in the daylight. Aiound the 
lodge were recesses for sleeping, like the berths on board ships, 
screened from view by curtains of dressed skins. 

"The life of these Indians, when at home in his village, is a 
life of indolence and amusement. To the women is assigned the 
labors of the household and the field. She arranges the lodge, 
brings wood for ti: e fire, cooks, jerks venison and buffalo meat, 
dresses the skins of the animals killed in the chase; cultivates the 
little patch of maize, pumpkins and pulse, which furnishes a great 
part of their provisions. Their time for repose and recreation is at 
sunset, when the labors of the day being ended, they gather together 
to amuse themselves with petty games, or hold gossiping convocations 
on the tops of their lodges. 

"A great part of the idle leisure of the Indians, when at home, 
is passed in groups squatted on the roof of one of their earth covered 
lodges; talking over the news of the day, the affairs of tlie tribe, the 
events and exploits of their last hunting or fighting expedition, or 
listening to the stories of old time told by some veteran chronicler, 
resembling a group of our village quid nuncs and politicians listen- 
ing to tfie prosings of some superannuated oracle, or discussing the 
contents of an ancient newspaper." 

6. The fur trading enterprise of the American Company neces- 
sitated the erection of several strong forts, which became depots for 
the accumulated stocks of furs, and for the distribution of merchan- 
dise to the Indians, and a point on the Missouri river, at or near the 
present location of the village of Fort Pierre was found to be a cen- 
tral and convenient point for such a post. Tlie first post erected by 
the American Fur Company in the locality named, was constructed 
by Joseph La Framboise in 1817, on an island, which for many years 
bore his name, but is now known as "Goddard Island." Two years 
later, the post was removed from the island to the west bank of the 



SOUTH DAKOTA 23 

river, a short distance above Pierre, and was there named Fort 
Tecutnseli, and from it an important traffic was carried on witii the 
Indians. 

7. In 1829 tlie business of tiie Company had expanded until 
more commodious quarters were required, and in that year the erec- 
tion of a new fort was undertaken which was completed two years 
later and named Ft. Pierre in honor of Mr. Pierre Choteau, Jr., the 
head of the American Fur Company. It therefore appears that the 
settlement in the vicinity of Fort Pierre Ijas been continuous since 
1817, and is the oldest continuous settlement of wliite men within 
the state. 

SOURCES:— 

Washington Irving. 
Dakota Winter Counts. 
Chas. E. De Land. 
Letters of Pierre Choteau. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

FIRST MILITARY INVASION. 

1. The first military Invasion of South Dakota for a hostile 
purpose, occurred in the year 1823, and under tlie following circum- 
stances: Early in the spring of 1823, General Wm. H. Ashley, 
Lieutenant-Governor of the state of Missouri, then just admitted to 
the Union, and the head of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, 
started up the Missouri river with two boats loaded with merchan- 
dise, and accompanied by a party of eighty or more French boatmen 
and trappers. 

2. In June of that year they arrived at the Arickara or Eee 
camp, at the mouth of Grand river, and at the request of the Rees, 
stopped to trade with them, Ashley at that time being a licensed 
government trader. The Rees treacherously attacked this party, 
killed twelve and wounded eleven of the number, and destroyed 
their merchandise. The remainder of the party retreated in boats a 
consideiable distance down tlie river, whence they sent an appeal for 
succor to the commanding officer at Fort Atkinson, near the present 
site of Calhoun, Nebraska. The massacre occurred on June 2d, 1823. 

3. Colonel Henry Leavenworth of the Sixth United States 
Infantry, was in command at Foib Atkinson and on the 22d day of 
June, he marched with two hundred-twenty men of that regiment, 
eighty men of trading companies, and two six-pound cannon, five 
and one-half inch brass howitzer and some small swivels, nearly 
seven hundred miles through a country filled with hostile or unreli- 
able Indians, to the Ree villages, which after much hardship and 
some losses, he reached on the the 9th of August. The Dakotas were 
at war with the Rees, and from seven to eight hundred of their 
warriors had joined the United States forces on the way. Of these 
Dakotas, five hundred are mentioned as Yanktons, but the tribes of 
the remainder are not designated in the reports. 

4. The Rees were in two villages, the lower one containing 
seventy-one dirt lodges, and the upper seventy, both being enclosed 
with palisades and a ditch, and the greater part of the lodges having 
a ditch around the bottom on the inside. The enemy having know- 
ledge of the expedition, had fortified and made their preparations 
for resistance. Their force consisted of ever seven hundred warriors, 
most of whom were armed with rifles procured from British traders. 

5. On the 9tb of August, the Dakotas, commenced the attack 
and were driven back until the regular troops advanced, but nothing 
decisive resulted until the artillery was employed on the 10th, when 
a large number of the Rees, including their chief. Grey Eyes, were 
killed, and early in the afternoon, they begged for peace. They 
were much terrified and humbled by the effect of the cannon, which 
though small answered the purpose. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 25 

6. During the main engagement, the Dakotas occupied tliera- 
selves in gathering and carrying off all the corn to be found, and 
before the treaty was concluded which, at the supplication of the 
Rees, Colonel Leavenworth agreed to, the Dakotas left in great dis- 
gust at not being allowed to kill and scalp the surrendered warriors, 
with their squaws and papooses, take possession of the villages, 
horses, etc., and in fact, exterminate their hereditary foes. 

7. The Rees having become panic-stricken after the treaty 
and two dajs of peaceful intercourse with the soldiers, deserted 
their homes, and the troops embarkirig on the 15th to descend the 
river, shortly saw the village in flames, which was the work either 
of the Dakotas or inimical traders. The Ree villages were rebuilt 
a short distance further up the river, but it was many years there- 
after before they would have any commercial intercourse with the 
white men. 

SOURCES:— 

Andrea's History of Nebraska. 
Monroe's Messages and Papers. 
Report of Secretary of War, 1823. 
Catlin's North American Indians. 
Monroe's Annual Message, 1823. 
Annual Report of Secretary of War, 1823. 



CHAPTER IX. 
DAKOTA PREVIOUS TO 1830. 

1. No trace of the outline of several of the now prosperous 
northwestern states is to be found on any map of the United States 
published prior to 1830. North of Missouri all of the country 
between the Mississippi river and the Rocky Mountains was put 
down as "Unorganized Territory." The name "Dakota" appears 
only to designate a great federation of Sioux Indian tribes which 
then occupied the central Missouri valley. Tlie term means "allied" 
or "friendly league. " These Indians were rovers of the prairies 
and had some of the picturesqueness and many of the propensities of 
the Arab. They looked upon the encroachments of the white race 
with suspicion and acted accordingly. 

2. A century before, within the present boundaries of our 
state there were known to be four tribes of Indians who held prior 
rights to tlie soil, the Mahas, in and around the falls of the Sioux 
river, the Poncas, about Bigstone Lake, the lowas, on the lower 
James river, and the Arickaras or "Rees," in the vicinity of the 
Bad and Cheyenne rivers. Predatory wars were common and the 
stronger tribes drove the weaker ones about as they saw fit. About 
1730, the Chippewas from tlie lake region, becoming possessed of 
firearms and learning their use from tlie French traders, began to 
drive the Sioux Indians from tlieir ancestral haunts and these in 
turn migrated westward for the purpose of contesting for the posses- 
sion of the rich buffalo hunting grounds of the western plains. 

3. The Poncas and the Mahas in the course of time were 
driven south across the Missouri by the Yanktons, and the lowas 
were crowded out of their territory, but it took the Tetons upwards 
of forty years to subjugate the Arickaras, literally cutting them off 
from tlieir buffalo hunting grounds and starving them into submis- 
sion, so that by the time of the Lewis and Claik exploring expedition 
it was, in fact, a Dakota land. In 1822 the Sioux country comprised 
the southern half of what is now Minnesota, a little stiip along the 
north of Iowa, aJl of South Dakota, most of North Dakota, south- 
east Montana, northeast Wyoming and a small portion of Nebraska. 
Near the centre of this area, on a space a few townships in extent, 
resided remnants of the once powerful Arickara and Mandan tribes. 

4. In all this part of the northwest there was not a town, and 
few settlements that could be called villages even. Three or four 
lur trading posts along the Missouri, already mentioned, another at 
Bigstone and one at or near Smithville on the Cheyenne, govern- 
ment posts at Ft. Snelling, Ft. Atkinson and Ft. Union were all 
the evidences of a white population of anything like a permanent 
nature. Previous to this the wandering fur traders, couieurs des 



SOUTH DAKOTA 27 

bois, bad traversed tbe lakes and water courses in tbe interest of 
trade and from tbe information derived from tliese patli-finders, 
geographers bad been enabled to map tbe country witb reasonable 
accuracy. 

5. Certain it is tbat Le Seuer was at tbe moutb of tbe Fox 
liver, AVisconsin, in 1684, and if be did not visit tbe Sioux falls in 
person, some of liis men did, for the very earliest French maps trace 
a commercial route from Prairie du Cbien to the Sioux river. It is 
also liiiely that cargoes of valuable furs were floated down the Big 
Sioux, in 1700, transferred to larger boats on tbe Missouri, thence to 
the moutb of tbe Mississippi and carried by sailing vessels to France 
in order to escape tlie traffic tax through Canada. These were not 
entrusted to savage voyageurs far upon their journey. Lewis and. 
Clark issued a fairly accurate map of tbe whole Missouri valley and, 
as they did not leave tbe banlis of tbe river very far, they must have 
gained their information from intelligent traders who were familiar 
witb tbe country. While little histoiy was made in those days tbe 
foundations of empire were being laid. 

6. Tbe AVar of 1812 paralyzed the fur t^ade west of tbe Missis- 
sippi for several years. Tbe British tried to induce the Sioux 
nation to enlist in tlieir cause and help control the upper lakes. A 
few of tbe Sissetons were enrolled as soldiers, taken by tbe way of 
Mackinac to tbe Ohio country, and one Waneta attained tbe grade 
of captain in recognition of bis bravery at tbe battle of Ft. 
Stephenson. But tbe French traders and especially Manuel Lisa, a 
Spaniard, now loyal Americans and foes of England, prevented the 
majority of tbe Dakota tribes from engaging in the war by playing 
one against the other. This is one of tbe most interesting episodes 
in tbe early history of this portion of the northwest. In 1815 a grand 
council of all the tribes was held at Portage des Sioux and a peace 
teaty was ratified. 

7. The exploring expedition of Lewis and Clark, 1804-5-6; the 
disastrous attempt of Lieut. Prjor, in 1807, to effect tbe return of 
Big White, the Mandan chief, to his home, he having been taken 
down tbe river on a visit by Capt. Clark on bis return from tbe west; 
the Astor expedition of 1811 up tbe Grand river and across to the 
coast; the disastrous termination of tbe Ashley expedition in 1823 
and tbe Col. Leavenworth punitive expedition against the Rees in 
tbe same year have a place in our annals and rounds out the first 
twenty-five years of our history that is of state interest. 

SOURCES:— 

Drake's Making of tbe W'est. 

Robinson's Brief History of South Dakota. 

Parkman's Astoria. 



CHAPTER X. 

1830—1840. 

1. During this period very little progress was made in settling 
the newly acquired territory in this direction. It was too far from 
the frontier outposts and out of the line of all except river travel. 
Tiiere were no gold discoveries to tempt the cupidity of the daring. 
Eailroads were not then known in the west and, except the few fur 
traders doing business with the Indians, the only visitors were titled 
travellers and representatives of scientific societies. They did good 
service, however, in mapping the country. 

2. The year 1831 is noted for two important events in the 
history of South Dakota. On June 18th of that year, the Yellow- 
stone, a steamboat built by the American Fur Company, was steamed 
by Pierre Choteau, Jr., to Fort Pierre. This was the first steamboat 
to navigate the upper Missouri river, and it very much accelerated 
the fur trading industry and commerce with the Indians. 

3. The second important event referred to was the first great 
crime recorded to have been committed by a white man within 
South Dakota. LeBeau, a trader whose name is perpetuated in the 
town of LeBeau, Walworth County, and whose post was near that 
point, in a quarrel killed an employee named Querrel. As at that 
period very little governmental authority was exercised in the Dakota 
country, no judicial inquiry ever was made in the matter, and the 
offense went unpunished. 

4. In 18.32, Captain Choteau again brought the Yellowstone 
up the river, and this year succeeded in steaming her through to 
Fort Union, at the mouth of the Yellowstone. Among his passen- 
gers on this trip were George Catlin, the famous painter and ethnolo- 
gist, and Prince Maximillian of Neuwied, each of whom afterwards 
published extensive and valuable reports of their trips, that of the 
prince being a very elaborate work, magnificently illustrated. The 
prince was an entijusiastic geologist, but his report produced little 
of scientific value except to determine that the region was covered 
with cretaceous rocks, and he carried away many fragments of fine 
fossils, which aroused great interest among professional geologists, 
and lead to other and more valuable explorations. 

4. Catlin spent several days at Fort Pierre, and during the sum- 
mer of 1832, did very much to perpetuate a knowledge of the habits, 
costumes and liistory of the Indain tribes, wliile the Indian was 
still living the primitive aboriginal life, little corrupted by 
contact with white men. He was a skillful artist and made more 
than two hundred splendid oil paintings of the Indian and wild life 
in Dakota, which are now in the famous Catlin Gallery of the 
Smitlisonian Institution. He exhibited his pictures in Europe and 
it did much to advertise Missouri valley to the world. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 29 

In 1836, while on a visit to the Pipestone quarry in western 
Minnesota, Catlin again visited the eastern edge of the state, but 
made no record of value. 

5. In 1838, General John C. Fremont, the noted pathfinder, 
visited the eastern portion of the state, and made the first scientific 
examination of it, taking tlie levels of prominent points and dis- 
covering and naming many of the lakes, among them, Lake Renton, 
Minnesota, near the state line; Lake Preston in Kingsbury County, 
and Lake Poinsett in Hamlin County. Lake Benton was named 
after Senator Thos. H. Benton of Missouri, Fremont's father-in-law. 
Lake Preston, for Senator Preston of North Carolina, and Lake 
Poinsett for Hon. J. K. Poinsett, Secretary of War at the time of 
Fremont's visit. 

6. In 1839, General Fremont again visited South Dakota 
accompanied by the distinguished geographer and astronomer, Joseph 
N. iS^icoIet. Tliey ascended the Missouri river by steamboat to Ft. 
Pierre, and thence passed northeastwardly, scientifically examining 
and mapping the country as far as Devils Lake in Nortli Dakota. 
Thence they returned tlirough the northeastern corner of South 
Dakota, by way of Traverse and Bigstone Lakes, and passed east 
through Minnesota. 

SOURCES :- 

Dakota Winter Counts. 
Donaldson's Catlin. 
Dr. Todd's Preliminary Report. 
Memoirs of Fremont. 



CHAPTER XI. 

1840—1856. 

1. By 1840 the activity of the fur companies had.aheady 
perceptibly decreased the buffalo herds and fur bearing animals of 
the Dakota country, and yearly the fur industry was becoming of less 
and less importance. 

2. September 2, 1840, Kev. Stephen R. Riggs, a missionary to 
the Dakota Indians, accompanied by Mr. Eli Huggins, started from 
Lac qui Parle, Minnesota, with a party of Dakota buffalo hunters, 
and made the trip across eastern South Dakota to b'ort Pierre and 
return. He wrote and published an account of his adventures on 
this trip. While at Pierre Mr. Riggs held the first Protestant relig- 
ious services in South Dakota. 

3. About 1842, the American Fur Company, established a 
trading post on the bank of the Missouri river at a point directly 
south of tlje present village of Embank, which was known as "Post 
Vermilion." This post was maintained until 1854, when it was 
abandoned. At about tiie same time, 1842, Post Bonis was estab- 
lislied at tlie moutli of Medicine Creek, and maintained until 1855. 

4. In 1843, Audubon, the celebrated ornithologist, accompanied 
by Mr. Edward Harris, a geologist of note, was sent out by the 
Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences to make an examination 
of the Dakota region. They secured much valuable information. 
Their reports are published in the annals of the Academy. By 1847, 
general interest in the fossil deposits of tiie Bad Lands had been 
excited among scientitic men, and that year Dr. II. A. Pont pub- 
lished, in the American JouniaV of Science, an interesting paper 
upon the fossils collected by hunters and fur traders on the White 
river. 

5. The first Catholic service held in South Dakota occurred at 
Fort Pierre in 1847, and was conducted by Fathers F. Hoecken and 
M. Ravoux, of the Roman Catholic church. In 1848, Father Peter 
J. DeSmet visited the Dakota country, making extensive trips 
througli the \alleys of the White river, Missouri, James and Vermil- 
ion. Father DeSmet was a learned and devoted priest who did much 
to alleviate the sufferings of the Indians. He wrote a full account 
of his experiences in the Dakota country, which was published in a 
volume entitled "History of the Desert Missions, and Missionaries 
in the United States." 

6. In July 1848, Mr. J. B. LaPlant located with his family at 
Sioux Point, the extreme southeastern corner of the present state, 
and established there a settlement, which has been permanent. This 
was the first settlement, made within the state for the purpose of 
engaging in agriculture. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 31 

I. In 1849, Dr. John Evans was sent out by tlie United States 
as geologist. Ilis report was published by the government in 1850. 

8. In 1850, Drs. F. Y. Ilayden and F. B. Meek, visited the 
Dakota region for Professor James Hall of Albany, N. Y., and made 
the most important collection of geological and fossil specimens 
which up to tliat time had been secured. 

9. In 1851, the steamboat St. Ange, of the American Fur 
Company, arrived at Fort Pierre with cholera on board. An epi- 
demic of that dread disease followed, and scores of traders and trap- 
pers, and several hundred Indians died. The disease spread to 
neighboring tribes, particularly to the Eees, at the mouth ot Grand 
river, and the death loss there was very great. 

10. In 1S51, a treaty was entered into by the government with 
the Dakota Indians, known as the treaty of "Traverse de Sioux," 
which extinguished the Indian title to tiiat portion of South Dakota 
lying east of the Sioux river. 

II. By 1855, the fui trading days in the Dakota country were 
about over. The buffalo in large part had disappeared. In tliat 
year. Fort Pierre was sold by the American Fur Company to the 
United States government and was occupied by General Harney and 
a force of twelve hundred soldiers who had been sent into the region 
for the purpose of laying out and constructing military roads and 
posts. 

12. In 18.5G-57, a detachment of General Harney's forces, under 
command of Lieut. G. K. AVairen, visited the Black Hills and dis- 
covered the highest altitude in the state, which was named 
"Harney's Peak. " In this expedition, Lieutenant Warren was 
accompanied by Dr. Hayden, as geologist and naturalist. Their 
course was past Raw Hide Butte and down Old Woman's Creek to 
the South Cheyenne; thence to Beaver Creek to the east branch, by 
which they entered the Hills. From here, Lieutenant Warren pro- 
ceeded northwardly to Inyan Kara; thence back past Bear Butte; 
thence up the Cheyenne and over to White river. A preliminary 
report of this expedition was published by the War Department in 
1858. 

13. The wave of immigration that had for the last fifteen 
years been pouring into the territories, following the search for 
gold in California, to fight the battle of free, against slave territory, 
passed to the south of us. But the reports of the various exploring 
and surveying expeditions were so favorable that the attention of 
setclers was attracted in this direction and the territory entered 
upon a new era. 

SOURCES:— 

Catlin's Xorth American Indians. 

Missionary Herald. 

Western Missions and Missionaries. 



CHAPTER XII. 

SETTLEMENT OF SIOUX FAEES. 

1. We have now ai rived at the beginning of that epoch of 
settlement wliich soon was to inhabit the state will] a busy and 
sturdy population, the first requisite to this being the extinguishment 
of the Indian title to the land, and the presence of a suflflcienb 
military force to protect the settlers from Indian aggression. For 
the former, the Treaty of Traverse de Sioux had in 1851 opened a 
narrow strip east of the Sicux river. Por the latter, General Harney 
with a force of twelve hundred men, were stationed on tlie Missouri 
river, and his force was in 185T augmented by two companies from 
Foit Abercrombie, under command of General Sully, who marched 
his force across the country to Ft. Pierre. 

2. The government in 1856, secuied from the American Fur 
Company old Fort Lookout just north of the present site of Chambfer- 
lain, and General Harney stationed a portion of his men there. In 
the spring of 1857, he located Fort Randall and occupied it with his 
main force in July of that year. 

3. In 1856, a company was incorporated at Dubuque, Iowa, 
under the name of the Western Land Company, for the purpose of 
locating a townsite at the falls on the Sioux river. The members 
of tliis Company had not visited the place, but had derived 
their knowledge of it from a report by Joseph N. Nicolet. In 
ISTovember 1856, the Western Land Company employed Ezra Millard 
and D. M. Mills of Sioux City to Tisit the falls of the Sioux and 
locate a townsite of three hundred-twenty acres there under the 
government's land laws. Millaid and Mills arrived at the falls of 
the Sioux on tiie evening of November 10th. They were met there 
by a party of Dakota Indians who took their horses by the bridles, 
turned them about and pointed south. The prospectors took the 
hint and returned with allspeed to Sioux City. 

4. About Christmas of that year, D. M. Mills returned to the 
Sioux falls and selected three hundred-twenty acres of land for 
tlie Western Town Company and one hundred-sixty acres on his own 
account. On the latter he built a log cabin 10x12 feet. He then 
returned to Sioux City. 

5. In May 1857, Jesse N. Jarret, John McClellan and two men 
named Farwell and Olson, representing the Western Town Company, 
arrived at the falls of the Sioux river for the purpose of holding and 
improving the townsite, and commenced the construction of a small 
stone liouse near the river, immediately above the falls. 

6. In January 1857, the Dakota Land Company was chartered 
by the legislature of Minnesota Territory; its object being to push 
into Dakota and and secure some of the best locations for future 



SOUTH DAKOTA 33 

towns. One week after the arrival of the representatives of the 
Western Town Company at Sioux Falls, Alfred G. Fuller, and a 
number of other men representing the Dakota Land Company, 
arrived at the falls, and located a half section of land adjoining the 
townsite of the Western Town Company. A few days previous to 
tliis Major Dewitt and a portion of the Dakota Land Company party 
separated from the expedition at the Pipestone quairy and went to 
Medaiy in I^rookings County and selected a townsite there, making 
some slight improvement and leaving a few men to take care of it. 
He then proceeded to Flandreau where he selected another townsite 
and erected a cabin upon it, thence joining his party at Sioux Falls. 
A townsite was also selected at the moutli of the Split Rock 
river, which was called Eminija. Most of these townsites weie 
occupied until the latter part of July, when the Yankton Indians 
appeared in the locality and became very troublpsome, making 
such tlueats of violence that it was deemed not wise for so 
small a party of men to remain in the country. Tiie Dakota Land 
Company immediately withdrew all their employes, leaving only 
John McClellan, Farwell and Olson as sole white occupants in tire 
lower Sioux valley. They remained one day longer, and placing 
their etTects in a canoe, floated down the Sioux river to Sioux City, 
leaving the Sioux valley below Medary to the undisputed possession 
of the Indians for a short time. 

7. These first settlers in the Sioux valley had good reason to 
be afraid of Indian depredations. Early in the spring of 1857, 
Inkapduta, with a band of renegade Santee Sioux, attacked a wl)ite 
settlement around Spirit Lake, Iowa, killed forty-two people, 
destroyed most of their property, and carried four women— Mrs. 
Noble, Mrs. Thatcher, Mrs. Marble, and a young girl, Abbie Gardner 
—into captivity. The marauding party fled to Dakota and went 
into camp at Lake Herman (Lake County.) Mrs. Thatcher was 
brutally murdered while crossing the Sioux river near Flandreau. 
Through the kindness of some Christian Didians the release of Mrs. 
Marble was secured by purchase and later that of Abbie Gardner. 
Mrs. Noble was killed by one of Inkpaduta's sons while the party 
was in camp on the James river (Spink County.) Such incidents as 
these were not reassuring. 

8. On the 17th day of August 1857, Jesse T. Jarret, Dr. J. L. 
Phillips, Wilmot W. Brookings, S. B. Atwood, A. L. Kilgore, 
Smith Kinsey, John McClellan, D. M. Mills and two other men 
named Callahan and Godfrey, in the employment of the AVestern 
Town Company, returned to Sioux Falls, bringing with them one 
horse team and two six ox-tearas, a saw mill, a quantity of imple- 
ments and provisions for starting a town. Jesse T. Jarret was the 
local manager. Each of these parties took claims for themselves. 
They immediately built a house and store, erected the saw-mill, 
cut hay and otherwise prepared for winter. 

9. At the middle of October, a party of seven members of the 



3i A HISTORY OF 

Dakota Land Company also arrived and made preparations for 
spending the winter at the falls. TiiaL year, three dwelling houses 
were erected, one of stone, a store and the saw-mill. 

10. The winter of 1857-8 the following persons composed the 
Xvhibe population of Sioux Falls: W. W. Brooking, J. L. Phillips, 
•John McClellan, S. B. Atwood, A. L Kilgore, Smith Kinsey, 
'Charles McConnell, E. B. McKinley, S. B. Brookings, E. M. Brook- 
ings, James L. Fiske, James McBride, James M. Evans, James M. 
Allen, William Little, C. Merrill, sixteen in all. They passed the 
early part of the winter with reasonable comfort. In January, 
Messrs. Brookings and Fiske visited Sioux City and brought back a 
mail; their only communication with the outside world during the 
winter. 

IL On the first of February 1858, Messrs. W. W. Brookings 
and Smith Kinsey started to secure for the Western Town Company 
the site of the city of Yankton. On reaching Split Rock river, 
twelve miles below tlie Falls, they found the water very high. They 
were on horseback and succeeded in crossing the stream, getting 
somewhat wet in the operation. Tiiat night when fifty miles from 
the falls, a severe storm set in, so that it became necesary to retrace 
their steps. In crossing the Spilt Rock, that evening, Mr. Brookings 
fell tlirough the ice and was thoroughly drenched. It was intensely 
■cold and when he arrived at Sioux Falls the next morning, he was 
terribly frozen, necessitating the ampiuation of both of his feet. 

12 All of these events transpired before the admission of 
Minnesota as a state, and the region was therefore a part of Minne- 
sota Territory. What now is Minnehaha County was then known 
as Big Sioux County, Mirrnesota, and the Governor of Minnesota 
Territory appointed James Allen, register of deeds, James Evans, 
sheriff, James L. Fiske, judge of probate, W. W. Brookings, district 
attorney, J. L. Phillips, justice of the peace, and William Little, 
Janres McBride and A; L. Kilgore, county commissioners. They 
organized the county with these officers in December 1857. Minne- 
sota was admitted on the Uth day of May, 1858. 

13. In tlie spring of 1858, new immigrants arrived. A Mr. 
Goodwin and wife arrived early in May, Mrs. Goodwin being the 
first white woiDan to settle in the state. Charles White, wife and 
daughter came a few days later. At the end of June 1858, the 
Indians again became troublesome, driving tiie white settlers away 
from Medary, burning the house which had been erected there, 
and destroying other personal property. They sent word to Sioux 
Falls, ordering the settlers to leave there, but the pioneers decided 
to remain and to fortify for defence. At that time there were sixty 
able-bodied men in the settlement A sod fort enclosing a stone 
house was at once erected in which the people gathered at nigiit. 
While they were busy with these preparations a delegation of war- 
jiors arrived at the Falls and advised the people to leave, but did 



SOUTH DAKOTA 35 

not attempt forcible ejection. A portion of the settlers took this 
advice, but tliirty-tive remained at tlie settlement. -^....^^ 

14. Tlie fortitication erected at Sioux Falls was called "Fort ) 
Sod." In a letter to his fatlier, Secretary James M. Allen thus 
describes it: — "We have elected of sods and logs, a perpendicular 
wall eighty feet square, ten feet high and four feet thicif, with a 
ditch surrounding the exterior base. Port lioles are arranged every 
few feet in the wall and an inner platform to stand upon. We also 
have an enclosure of three acres securely fenced for the cattle. We 
now feel safe and are detei mined to resist the Indians, and if nec- 
essary to fight them. W^e want to teach them that they cannot 
every season drive oil tlie settlers on this disputed land. The new 
settler, Mr. Goodwin and his wife, liave moved into our old cabin, 
which is now a wing of tlie store house, and Mrs. Goodwin has made 
a large flag out of all the old flannel shirts we could find, and we 
now have the Stars and the Stri{5es proudly waving over Fort Sod. 
AH the property of the place is now deposited with us, including 
the movable portion of the saw-raill machinery. We are on a mili- 
tary footing; have organized into a company. Sentries and scouting 
parties on duty day and night. All told, we number thirty-five 
men for defense, not including tlie woman, and she can shoot a gun 
as well as anyone. W^e feel secure now and could figlit six hundred 
Indians, and even if the walls could be scaled, which is almost 
Impossible, we could retire into our stone house, which is impreg- 
nable. " June 17, 1858. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

SETTLEMENT OF THE MISSOURI VALLEY. 

1. The French settlement made at Sioux Point in 1848, was by 
persons who had previously lived with the Indians, and many of 
them were married to Indian wives, so that their settlement upon 
the Indian lands was not considered an intrusion by the red men. 

2. No further actual settlement, however, was possible along 
the Missouri river, until the Indian title had been extinguished. 
Frost, Todd & Co., Indian traders under a government license, built 
trading post at Vermilion in 1857, and in May of that year. Major 
"W P. Lyman made a settlement in Yankton County, at or near the 
point where the three railroads cross the James river. 

3. In the spring of 1858, a settlement was undertaken at the 
present site of the city of Yankton by W. H. Holman and several 
others from Sioux City. They erected a cabin and opened a land 
oflBce, and many claims were staked out. The Indian title had not 
yet been extinguished, and the Indians would not tolerate the 
Intrusion. The party was dislodged by a company of goveiumenb 
troops from Fort Randall. 

4. In the spring of 1858, Major Jospeh R. Hanson also arrived 
at Yankton. The Indians, however, being opposed to the settle- 
ment, he with his companions erected a hut on the Nebraska shore 
and patiently waited the ratification of the treaty. 

5. During the winter of 1857-8, Captain J. B. S. Todd and 
Charles Picotte, the latter a half-breed Sioux, induced about fifteen 
of the head-men of the Yankton tribe to accompany them to Wash- 
ington, where on the 19th day of April 1858, was negotiated the 
treaty which relinquished to the United States all that portion of 
the State of South Dakota which lies between the Sioux and the 
Missouri rivers, and south of a point beginning at the mouth of 
Medicine Creek just south of Pierre, thence up Medicine Creek to 
its source, thence to the source of Snake river, down Snake river to 
the James, thence to Lake Kampeska and the Sioux river. The 
northern line was approximately from Pierre to Faulkton, thence to 
Lake Kampeska or Watertown. This excepted, of course, the Yank- 
ton Reservation of 430,000 acres in Charles Mix County, to which the 
tribe removed in the summer of 1859, after the treaty had received 
the consent of the Yanktons or at least of a large majority of them. 

6. Frost, Todd & Co. erected a trading house on the site of 
Yankton about May, 1858, and this building and business was in 
charge of Frank Chapel, George Presho and George D. Fisk. 

7. The entire Yankton tribe gathered on the site of the city 
of Yankton in July, 1859, awaiting the arrival of the government 
steamer "Carrier," laden with goods and supplies for the Indians 



SOUTH DAKOTA 37 

wliich had been promised in tlie treaty. Tliese goods arrived at 
Yankton on July iOtli and, after issuing a few rations to the 
Indians, proceeded up the river to the present site of Yanlfton 
Agency, and was followed by all the Indians, who settled about the 
Agency, and ever since have remained peaceably there. 

8. With the removal of the Indians, settlers in considerable 
numbers, many of whom had been waiting on theNebraska sliore, 
crossed over and settled upon the fertile lands of Bon Homme, Yank- 
ton, Clay and Union Counties, with centers of population at 
Yankton, Meckling, Vermilion and Elkpoint. The first Scandin- 
avian settlers came that year and located in the vicinity of Meckling. 
In January 1860 tlie first Protestant religious service was held, being 
a sermon by Rev. C. D. Martin, * a missionary of the Presbyterian 
cliurch at Yankton. The Scandinavian Lutherans also began to hold 
religious services in their homes, in the vicinity of Meckling. The 
fur trade had practically disappeared from the river, and steamboats 
came up only at rare intervals, with supplies for the Indian agencies. 

9. By 1861, the population had grown until the census revealed 
six hundred sixty-nine white persons in Clay and Union Counties, 
two hundred eighty-seven in Yankton, and one hundred sixty-three 
in Bon Homme. From settlement until 1861, no form cf govern- 
ment was provided by the general government. 



Note: — *Mr. Martin erected a church at Vermilion in August 1860, 
and services were held there continuously thereafter. The Method- 
ists organized a class at Richland, Union County in tiie summer of 
1861, witli twenty-five members. 



CHAPTER XIV. 
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT. 

1. The admission of Minnesota as a state in May 1858, and the 
failure of the general government to provide for any jurisdiction 
over the Dakota region, left the settlers in the Sioux and Missouri 
valleys in an anomalous position, having legal means neither for 
preserving the peace nor for collecting debts. 

2. Immediately upon the admission of Minnesota, the settlers 
at Sioux Falls elected Hon. Alpehus G. Fuller as their representa- 
tive to urge upon Congress the erection of a territorial government 
for Dakota. Mr. Fuller visited Washington, but his right to repre- 
sent the Dakotans was contested by Delegate Kingsbury of Minne- 
sota, who claimed that that portion of the former Territory of 
Minnesota without the state boundary, still existed as the Territory 
of Minnesota, and that he was the duly elected representative in 
Congress from that Territory. This point was in controversy 
during the entire session, and nothing was accomplished toward, 
securing the erection of the territory. 

3. A movement was therefore started at Sioux Falls to provide 
a provisional government for the interim. On September 18, 1858, a 
mass meeting of the citizens of the territory was held at Soiux Falls 
which provided for the election of a legislature. This legislature 
met at Sioux Falls and by it Henry Masters was chosen governor, 
and J. M. Allen, secretary. These gentlemen appear to have at 
once entered upon the discharge of the duties of the positions to 
which they were elected. The legislature adopted the laws of 
Minnesota for preserving peace and collecting debts. 

4. On the 5th of September 1859, Henry Masters, the provis- 
ional governor, died.* He had but recently been le-nominated as a 
candidate for re-election to the position. After his death, the name 
of Samuel J. Albright was substituted, and at the election in Nov- 
ember, was elected governor of the provisional government. At 
the same election, Jefferson P. Kidder was elected delegate to 
Congress and J. M. Allen was again elected secretary, and the legis- 
lature consisting of the following gentlemen, was chosen: 

From the counties of Midway and Rock — J. R. Amidon, W. 
"W. Brookings. 

Big Sioux and Pipestone — L. B. Atwood, James McCall. 

Vermilion and Yankton— Joseph Scales and J. B. Breenway^ 
councilmen. Members of the House of Representatives were:— 



Note: — *Henry Masters was born in Bath, Maine, in 1806. He 
was a lawyer by profession and a gentleman of culture. On one 
occasion at Sioux Falls, he preached a Swedenborgian sermon. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 39 

Big Sioux County — John Rouse, George Freudenreich, R, M. 
Johnson, S. J. Albright. 

Midway and Pipestone— J. W. Evans, C. Cooper, J. E. Peteis, 
Wm. Stevens. 

Vermilion and Roclv — William Little, Albert Kilgore, Amos 
Shaw. 

5. Tlie legislature convened early in November and organized 
by electing Wilmot W. Brookings, president, C. S. Wliite, secretary, 
B. Jarret, messenger, and M. V. B. Fish, sergeant at arms. 
The House otiicers were, spealier, S. J. Albright, clerk, J. W. 
Stewart. 

6. The legislature remained in session one week, and its actiorr 
was characterized by conservative deliberation. Very many bills 
were introduced, but the body contented itself with adopting several 
memorials to Congress: One for the creation of the Territory of 
Dakota: one asking for $6,000 to defray expenses of tlie provisional 
government, and still another petitioning Congress to legalize the 
action of the provisional government. 

7. Mi. Albright declined to qualify as governor, and Judge 
W. W. Brookings, wlio had been elected piesident of the council^ 
assumed tlie position by common consent, and continued in it until^ 
the erection of the territory in IStil. 

8. On July 2d, 1859, the Dakota Democrat,* a newspaper, was. 
established at Sioux Falls by Samuel J. A 1 blight. 

This a was four page, six column paper and was filled with inter- 
esting and valuable matter. It was continued as The Democrat until 
1860, wiien Mr. Alrbight left the Teriitory, and it was tlieieafter 
published by a Mr. Stewart, under the name of The Independent, 
and its publication was-continued until the summer of 1861. 



Note: — *The pressupcn which "The Democrat" was printed, was 
purchased in Cincinrmti in the spring of 1836, and used in printing 
"Tlie Dubuque Visit'ji," the first newspaper published in the state 
of Iowa. Thence it was taken to Lancaster, Wisconsin, in March 
1843, and "The Crant County Herald" printed upon it. This was 
tlie first newspaper in Western Wisconsin. In 1849, James M, 
Goodehue, editor of the Herald, removed tbe press and outfit to St. 
Paul, Minnesota, and printed upon it the "St. Paul Pioneer," the 
fiist newspaper in the state of Minnesota. Thence in 1858, it was 
brought to Sioux Falls, and tlie first newspaper in Dakota was 
established and printed upon it. AVhen the settlers abandoned 
Sioux Falls in 1862, the press was left there and was thrown upon 
the rocks and destroyed by the Indians. The platen of it is now in 
the possession of Senator Richard F. Pettigiew, and Mr. Fred Petti- 
grew owns the spindle. The type and material used in the publica- 
tion of the "Democrat" was in 1861, taken to Vermilion and used 
in the first publication of the "Vermilion Republican." 



CHAPTER XV. 
THE TERRITORY ERECTED. 

1. On March 2, 1861, James Buchanan, Presidenbof the United 
States, approved the bill creating the Territory of Dakota. lb was 
left to President Lincoln to carry out the provisions of the bill, 
which he did in May following, by appointing William Jayne of 
Illinois, governor; John Hutchinson of Minnesota, secretary; Phile- 
mon Bliss of Ohio, chief justice, and Lorenzo P. Williston of 
Pennsylvania, and Jos. L. Williams of Tennessee, associate justices: 
William E. Gleason of Maryland, attorney general; Wm. F. Siiaffer 
of Illinois, marslial ; and George D. Hill of Michigan, surveyor 
general. 

2. Governor Jayne and Secretary Hutchinson arrived at Yauli- 
ton on the 27tl] of May, 1861. Governor Jayne at once set about 
organizing the Territory, provided for a census, and for the 
apportionment of the Territory into legislative districts, and called 
an election to take place on Monday, the 16th day of September, 
1861. The census showed a population of 1775 whites in the Territory. 

3. This call for an election precipitated the first political 
campaign in Dakota, and a spirited contest for the election of a 
delegate to Congress. There were three candidates: Capt. J. B. S. 
Todd, people's candidate; A. J. Bell, known as the Vermilion can- 
didate; and Cliarles P. Booge, of Sioux City, as the independent 
candidate. At the succeeding election there were 495 votes cast, of 
which Todd received 397, Bell, 78 and Booge, 110. 

4. After providing for the census and the election, Governor 
Jayne returned to his home at Springfield, Illinois, and did net 
return until the following spring. 

5. The legislature convened upon his call at Yankton on the 
17th day of March, 1862. At the first session a code of laws was 
enacted, and Yankton was made the capital, after a contest in which 
Sioux Falls and Vermilion were defeated for the honor. 

6. The organization of the Territory and the political campaign 
of 1861 resulted in the establishment of two newspapers in the Mis- 
souri valley: The "The Dakotain" at Y^aukton, which still survives 
in the Press and Dakotan, was established June 6, 1861; and in 
August of that year, "The Republican" at Vermilion was estab- 
Hshed, and still survives. 

7. In tliat year, L, P. Hyde made the first settlement in Lin- 
coln County, at Canton. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

THE INDIAN WAR. 

1. On the 18th of August, 1862, the Santee band of Dakota 
Indians, residing along the upper Minnesota river, became hostile 
and attacking the settleis, massacred many of them and took several 
hundred women and children prisoners. Tlie news of this outbreak 
rapidly spread among the feeble settlements in Dakota, and pro- 
duced the utmost consternation. On August 25th, Judge A. B. 
Amidon and his young son, residents of Sioux Falls, were murdered 
by Indians while haying about one mile noith of the village. The 
same month a tiapper named Wessington and three companions were 
massacred at "Wessington Springs, Jerauld County. 

2. In early spring, Company A, of the First Dakota Cavalry 
had been recruited at Vermilion, Yankton and Bon Homme, under 
command of Captain Nelson Miner, and later Company B at Elkpoint, 
commanded by Captain William Tripp. Originally intended for 
service in the South it was deemed wise by the War Department to 
hold these companies in reserve for just such an emergency. These 
volunteers were divided into squads and stationed about the several 
settlements, a small detail — twenty-five men— being at Sioux 
Falls. When the news of the outbreak reached Yankton, Governor 
Jayne dispatched a messenger to Sioux Falls and ordered the volun- 
teers to bring the settlers to Yankton, which they immediately did 
and the Sioux valley was again utterly abandoned by white men. 
At Yankton, the settlers promptly organized for defense. All able- 
bodied men were mustered in as home guards under command of 
Captain F. INI. Ziebach, and a strong stockade was erected sufficiently 
large to accommodate several hundred people. * 



* Note:— Sergeant A. M. English of the First Dakota Cavalry, 
thus describes the Yankton stockade: — "Tlie stockade commenced 
on Fourth Street on the alley west of Broadway and ran east to 
Cedar Street ; thence south to about midway of the block south of 
Third Street; tlience west to place of beginning, and was built of 
parts lumber, dirt and such other material as could be obtained. 
A large blockhouse was built inside, and altogether the fortification 
was quite formidable. Nearly all tlie people around Yankton were 
concentrated within the stockade, also many from Bon Homme, 
where tliey remained for several weeks and until winter was 
approaching and the great danger from Indian raids was over for the 
season. This stockade on the north side was built by digging a 
trench and throwing up the dirt and sod on the outside, in the ordi- 
nary way of throwing up entrenchments, and was about four feet 
thick and about eight feet high. The east side was built by setting 



42 A HISTORY OF 

3. Some hostile Indians from the Minnesota valley appeared 
in the locality, and at tlie ferry crossing on the James river, three 
miles east of Yankton, opened fire upon Mr. Greenway, the ferry- 
man, but vvere promptly repulsed by a detachment of militia under 
Sergeant A. M. English, who fortunately was near by. 

4. Struck by the Ree, the old Yankton chief, who had always 
been friendly to the whites, remained steadfast in his friendship 
during this period, and by throwing out a cordon of warriors from 
the Missouri to the Big Sioux river, protected the settlers from the 
Santee hostiles from Minnesota. 

5. After the first month, the excitement died away and the 
settlers left the stockade and returned to their farms, feeling secure 
in the protection afforded by the First Dakota Cavalry and Struck 
by the Eee's friendly braves. 

6. The Minnesota volunteer forces under command of General 
Sibley, succeeded in effecting the release of the white prisoners held 
by the Indians at Camp Release, Lac qui Paile County, Minnesota, 
in October, and took 1500 prisoners, thirty-eight of whom were 
executed at Mankato, in December. After the capture at Camp 
Release, Colonel Marshall pursued a hostile band into South Dakota, 
capturing several on tlie banks of Lake Nicholson not far from Lake 
Kampeska in Codington County. 

7. Nothing furtlier transpired until the spring of 1863. Gen- 
eral Pope, in command of the Department of the Northwest liad 
located the hostile Indians about the l)ead-waters of the James river 
and made arrangements for a vigorous campaign against them. He 
sent a detachment of Minnesota troops, under General Sibley, from 
Fort Ridgely, northeast across the northeast corner of South Dakota, 
into the vicinity of Devil's Lake, North Dakota. At the same 
time, he dispatched the Sixth and Seventh Iowa Infantry, and the 
Second Nebraska, under General Alfred Sully up the Missouri river 
with the intention that they should prevent the savages from cross- 
ing the Missouri and to co-operate with General Sibley in crushing 
them. E^efoie Sully arrived, Sibley came upon the Indians in the 
vicinity of Bismarck, North Dakota, and in the battle of Big 
Mound, fought on the 29th of July, 1863, killed many of them. The 



posts about eight feet apart. Boards were then nailed on each side. 
The space between the boards, which was about ten inches, was 
filled witli dirt and solidly tamped down. The east and west sides 
were built by setting oak posts close togetlier in the ground. The 
east, south and west sides were seven feet high. Port holes were made 
a few feet apart on the sides except the north side, where men could 
lie, or crouch in the trench, and fire from the embankment. The 
main gate was on the south side, where it crossed Broadway. In 
front of this gate was an old smooth-bcre four-pound cannon, mounted 
on wagon wheels, manned and loaded ready for action. There were 
bastions on the nortlieasb and southwest corners of the stockade. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 43 

main force of Indians, however, escaped across the Missouri. Sibley 
returned to Minnesota, without communicating witii Sully, who a 
few weeks later, struciJ the same band of Indians at Wliite Stone 
Hill, North Dakota, and with a loss of twenty-two men killed, and 
fifty wounded, left live hundred Indians dead upon the battle Held, 
and captured two hundred fifty. With his prisoners, he then 

marched to Fort Thompson, at what is now known as Crow Creek 
Agency, in Buffalo County, South Dakota, where he placed them in 
charge of an agent, who had been appointed and sent there to take 
cliarge of the Indian prisoners captured at Camp Release, Minnesota, 
after the massacre in the fall of 1862. _. 

8. The flrst battalion of the Sixth Iowa went into camp for 
the winter of 1863-1 on the Missouri river, about six miles below the 
present city of Pierre, where they built temporary quarters, and in 
honor of their commander, named the post Fort Sully. Tlie 
remainder of Sully's troops returned by way of Fort Randall to 
Sioux City. 

9. In tlie exigencies of war, no provision had been made for 
the maintenance of the prisoners at Fort Thompson until it was too 
late to send previsions up the Missouri river by steamboat, and the 
department found it necessary to dispatch an expedition from 
Mankato, Minnesota, in November, 1863. This expedition is known 
as "The Expedition to Moscow." It consisted of sixty-six wagons, 
drawn by six-ox teams, under the protection of the Seventh Minne- 
sota Cavalry. At that time it was considered most hazardous to 
start off at that season of the year across the plains, and the soldiers 
were very reluctant to do so, and tlirew every possible obstacle in 
the way of the expedition. Tlie course was directly west from 
Mankato, passing through what are now Moody, Lake, Miner, San- 
born, Jerauld and Buffalo Counties, South Dakota, and reached tlie 
Indian camp without any special incident on December 20tli. The 
troops then proceeded down the Missouri to Sioux City and thence 
across to Mankato, where they arrived eaily in January. 

10. In the spring of 1864, active operations were again under- 
taken against the hostiles. General Sully was again sent up the 
river with the Iowa and Nebraska troops, to which Companies A 
and B of the First Dakota Cavalry, under command of Captain 
Miner, were attached. At the same time. General Sibley proceeded, 
west from Fort Ridgely across the state, and formed a junction with 
Sully near Fort Rice, North Dakota. The hostiles had been located 
in the Bad Lands west of tlie river, and they were attacked there 
and utterly routed. Sully's command returned to Fort Sully, and 
the other posts along the Missouri river. The first Dakota Cavalry 
remained in service witliin the state until the close of the War of 
the Rebellion, in 1865, wlien they were mustered out. These cam- 
paigns practically ended ail Indian hostilities east of the Missouri 
liver, although in August 1865, Edward LaMoure was killed by a 
party of hostile Santees at the mouth of Brule Creek, in Union 
County. 



CHAPTER XVII. 
AFTER THE INDIAN WAR. 

1. Just as the Indian outbreak of 1862 occurred, Dakota was 
in the throes of her second political campaign, Governor Jayne and 
Gen. J. B. S. Todd being opposing candidates for Congress. The 
total number of votes polled at that election was 867, and the returns 
showed that Jayne had received 408 and Todd 375 votes. Mr. Jayne 
thereupon resigned his office as Governor and Newton Edmunds was 
appointed by President Lincoln the second Governor of Dakota. 
General Todd, however, contested the election of Governor Jayne to 
Congress and secured the seat. 

2. In the years 1862, 1863, and 1864, there was a great revival 
of steamboat traffic on the Missouri river, owing to military activity 
and the discovery of gold in the western portion of the Territory, 
in what are now Montana and Idaho. In 1863 eighteen steamers 
vsere navigating the upper Missouri. 

3. In tlie summer of 1863, an organization known as the New 
York Colony was effected at Syracuse, New York, with Hon. James 
S. Foster as the secretary and most influential promoter. Mr. Foster 
came west, and returning to his home, reported favorably upon a 
location in southern Dakota, and in accordance witli his recommen- 
dation, one hundred families left New York in the spring of 1864 
and made permanent settlements at various points, in the Missouri 
valley, between the Big Sioux river and Bon Homme County. 

4. In the election of 1864, but six hundred and eight votes were 
polled in the Territory. Of these Walter A. Burleigh received 
three hundred eighty-six, and General Todd, two hundred twenty- 
two, the former being elected delegate to Congress. 

5. In 1865, Congress made an approrpiation of $85,000 for the 
opening of wagon roads through Dakota, leading to the Eocky 
Mountain gold region, and the money expended here in the opening 
and construction of roads was of great benefit to tlie feeble settle- 
ments. A good road with substantial bridges was constructed from 
Sioux City to Yankton, and from Fort Pierre, a road was opened to 
the Black Hills by Judge Wilmot W. Brookings, and another by Col. 
Gideon C Moody, northwest from Fort Pierre across the Big Chey- 
enne to Montana. 

6. The legislature of 1865 petitioned the general government 
to establish two additional military posts for the protection of the 
settlers from hostile Indians, asking that one be located at Sioux 
Falls, the other at a point on the James river midway between Sioux 
Falls and Fort Randall. In compliance with this request Fort 
Dakota was established at Sioux Falls, and a small post at Rockport 
and garrisoned by government troops until 1870, when upon the 



SOUTH DAKOTA 43 

representation of the legislature tliat tliey were no longer necessary, 
tliey were abandoned. 

7. The Supreme Court held its first session at Yankton, in 
July 1865. 

8. In 1866, peace treaties were effected with all of the tribes 
of the Missouri river Indians, except the Oglalas on the west under 
Eed Cloud, through the tact of Gov. Newton Edmunds. This chief 
disputed the construction of a government road from Ft. Laramie to 
the mining regions of Montana and Idaho. The enterprise liad been 
intrusted to Col. Sawyer, who started out will) his surveyors, having 
for escort twenty-five men from Company B, of the Dakota Cavalry. 
Eed Cloud met tlie surveying party near the Black Hills, besieged 
the small force fifteen days and prevented their entrance into his 
buffalo country. During the next two years the right of opening 
the road was fiercely contested and the campaign was known as 
"The Red Cloud War." The famous chief finally accomplished liis 
purpose and the road was never used. In that year Hon. Walter A. 
Burleigh was re-elected delegate to Congress, and the term of Newton 
Edmunds having expired, Andrew J. Faulk was appointed Governor, 
in wliich capacity he served until 1869. 

9. During Governor Faulk's administration, there was a 
renewed influx of immigrants. At the beginning of his term, the 
white population was estimated at five thousand, and at the close of 
it, had grown to more than fourteen thousand. Many of the counties 
created at the first session of the legislature were organized and the 
government surveys had been extended through all the settled 
portions. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 
RAILROAD BUILDING. 

1. By the close of Governor Faulk's administration, the Dakota 
settlement had passed beyond the experimental stage and a period 
of substantial development followed. 

2. In 1869, President Grant appointed Hon. John A. Burbank 
of Indiana bo succeed Andrew J. Faulk as governor, the term of the 
latter having expired. Governoi Burbank held the office until 1874, 
and during his administration, the first telegraph and the first rail- 
roads were constructed in the territory. A telegraph line was built 
from fcioux City to Yankton in 1870, at which time there were seven 
newspapers within the territory. 

3. 1872 witnessed the first railroad construction. The Dakota 
Southern Railway, organized in 1871 to build from Sioux City up the 
Missouri river, completed its line as far as Vermilion, and the next 
year continued to Yankton. The line has since then been constantly 
operated and is now known as the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul 
Railway. 

4. The Winona and St. Peter Eailroad, a division of the 
Northwestern line, also built into the territory that year, construct- 
ing a line from New Ulm, Minnesota, westward, entering the terri- 
tory at Gary and ending at Lake Kampeska. This line, however, 
was built for the purpose of holding a land grant and was not oper- 
ated to any extent until 1879, unLil the latter date tlieie being few 
settlers in that section of the territory. 

5. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills in 1874 gave a new 
impetus to Dakota developmentj which in the first instance brought 
a considerable tide of immigration into the eastern section. Based 
on the vote cast at the general election in that year, the population 
was approximated at fifty thousand. The soil had been proven to 
be richly adapted to agriculture and stock growing, and the rapidly 
increasing settlements were prosperous. 

6. This period of prosperity, however, was followed by two 
disheartening seasons. A scourge of locusts came down upon the 
scattered fields of the settlers and ravenously devoured their crops. 
But while this evil retarded new immigration, the settlers held 
bravely to their lands 



CHAPTER XIX. 
THE DISCOVERY OF GOLD. 

1. The existence of gold in the Black Hills was first aiade 
known to the civilized world hy Father Peter J. DeSmet, the emi- 
nent missionary, wlio previous to 1848 had learned from the Indians 
that gold nuggets were occasionally found there, but nothing of 
importance grew out of liis discovery. 

2. In 1857, the government undertook an examination and 
exploration of the Black Hills, under the direction of Lieutenant- 
Colonel G. K. Warren, of the regular army, who led a scientific and 
military exploration into the Hills, accompanied by Dr. F. V. 
Ilayden, tlie government geologist. .They made a thorough examin- 
ation of tlie Elills and discovered traces of gold, but the title to tliat 
section still being vested in the Indians, white men were not 
allowed to go upon the lands. 

3. In 1874, Lieutenant-Colonel Geo. A. Custer led another 
military expedition into the Hills, accompanied by Professor 
^Nathaniel H. Winchell, as geologist and naturalist. In their com- 
pany was one William T. McKay, an experienced placer miner, and 
to the latter belongs the lionor of having made the first practical 
discovery of gold, in paying quantities in South Dakota. His dis- 
covery was made two and one-half miles below the present town of 
Custer, on French Creek, in August 1874. 

4. Tlie reports of General Custer and Professor Winchnll upon 
this expedition are very conservative mentioning the gold but rais- 
ing no great hopes for valuable finds. McKay, liowever, gave his 
story to the world, and going to Sioux City, Iowa, organized an 
expedition, in which he shared with Messrs. Gordon, Witcher and 
Tallent, and late in October of that year, proceeded with a company 
of miners to French Creek, where they erected a strong stockade in 
the vicinity of his first discovery, and despite very rigorous weather, 
prospecting was carried on witl; great success during the ensuing 
winter. In the spring of 1875, Gordon and Witcher visited Chicago, 
and the stories they related there, set the whole country on fire with 
the gold fever. The government, however, interposed every possible 
obstruction to mining in the Hills, until the Indians had relin- 
quished their claim upon the soil, and General Crook was sent, with 
a detachment of soldiers, to evict the miners already in the Hills, 
but with little success, however, as the miners evaded him and hid- 
ing in the gulches of the mountains, continued to make rich pros- 
pects, the information of which leaked out and inflamed the minds 
of the people of the country. 

5. On September 26, 1876, through the instrumentality of 



48 A HISTORY OF 

Governor Newton Edmunds and Bishop Henry B. Whipple, a treaty 
with the Dakota Indians was signed at Red Cloud Agency, by which 
the Indian title to the Black Hills country was relinquished,* and 
the privilege ot constructing three wagon roads from the Missouri 
river across the reservation was granted. One of these lines was built 
up the Niobrara river from Yankton; a second up the White river, 
and tlie third from Bismarck. Later a shorter line by way of the 
Bad river from Pierre, was constructed and a wonderful influx of min- 
ers and adventurers set in, and in an incredibly short space of time, 
strong mining camps were established throughout the Hills, and a 
vast amount of gold was mined. This immigration lead to the early 
organization of the several counties of that section. Custer and 
Lawrence counties were organized In April, 1877, and Pennington on 
May 9th of that year. 

This development occurred during the term of Jclin L. Pen- 
nington as territorial governor. He was appointed by President 
Grant, to succeed John A. Burbank in 1874, taking possession of the 
office on the 26th day of January in that year, and continuing for 
four years. 



Note — * The validity of the above named treaty has lately been 
questioned by the descendants of the contracting Indians, through 
their attorneys. They claim that the provisions of the treaty pro- 
posed the year before and not ratified, in which the mining rights, 
only, were to be transferred, and the lands revert to the former 
owners after the gold was all taken away, was not changed in the 
new treaty. The matter is still under discussion (1907) and has 
been presented to the authorities at Washington. 



CHAPTER XX. 
THE BOOM. 

1. Close on the heels of the gold discovery in the Black Hills, 
came that period which has come to be known as "The Boom" in 
eastern Dakota. Beginning with 1878 and extending through to 
1885 was a time of development, settlement, and railroad building, 
scarcely paralleled in history. The population of the Territory in 
1875- was fifty thousand; five years later it had grown to one hundred 
thirty-five thousand, and in 1885, the Federal census showed a total 
of population of four hundred fifteen thousand people. * 

2. In 1878, President Hayes appointed Hon. William A. 
Howard, a distinguished congressman from the state of Michigan 
governor of Dakota. His health was feeble and he died after a 
little more than one year of service. ** During an interval of several 



Note: — *Col. McClure writing at that date said: "The growth 
of Dakota is marvelous. The oldest resident, one who has long 
been accustomed to the push and activity of western life, can 
scarcely keep pace with the changes at present occurring about him. 
New towns spring up in a night, railroads reach out their long arms 
into the erstwhile wilderness and the shriek of the locomotive 
blends with the wail of the affrighted and departing coyote, and the 
thrifty farm blossoms on the ricli bottom where but yesterday past- 
ured the buffalo in the succulent meadows. Electric lights, water- 
works, street railways, artesian wells, graded streets and public 
improvements of every description, are being added to the list of 
advantages heralded forth by sucli of tlie older cities as had not 
already accomplished these feats of enterprise. As for railway exten- 
tions, those already completed and those projected and under contract 
puzzle the most careful map maker in his attempt to outline them 
all." 

Note: — **Gov. Howard was born in Vermont in 1812. He gradu- 
ated from Middlebury college and at once settled in Detroit. He 
was a member of congress from Michigan from 1856 to 1863 and held 
a high position among the nation's wisest counselors and lie is 
esteemed as one of Dakota's best and most sagacious governors. He 
did much for the advancement of the territory. He found the 
finances of the territory in a sad sliape with her warrants at a great 
discount and her credit abroad so low as not to be quoted. He 
loaned his own personal credit to the territory. He advanced his 
own funds to provide for the care of the insane, the blind and the 
convicts, and so wisely managed the affairs of the territory tliat her 
paper was brought to a par before his death. 



50 A HISTORY OF 

months covering a period before and after Gov. Howard's death and 
terminating early in 1880, George H. Hand, territorial secretary, 
was acting governor, f During tiie administration of governor 
Howard, tlie Insane Aslyum was located at Yankton and the Peni- 
tentiary at Sioux Falls. 

3. In 1880, Nehemiah G. Ordway of New Hampshire, J was 
appointed governor to fill the vacancy occasioned by Governor 
Howard's death. During his administration, many of the leading 
counties of the state were settled and towns established. 

4. In 1877, population poured into the Sioux river counties. 
Flandreau, in Moody county and Medary in Brookings, became places 
of importance. Tlie upper Sioux Valley v\as settled in 1878, and 
Watertown became an important center of immigration and popula- 
tion. Brookings was founded in the fall of 1879. By 1880, the flood 
of settlers poured over tlie middle coteau and the James river valley 
became the chief center of attraction to immigrants. Mitchell, 
Huron, Eedtield, Aberdeen and Pierie date from that yeai. 

5. Railroad building was rapidly extended throughout the 
tei-ritory. New lines reaching Aberdeen, Huron, Pierre, Mitcliell 
and other important centers were built; schools and churches were 
everywhere established, and, in a single season, the wilderness 
became the home of a thriving and prosperous population. 

6. The winter of 1880-81 will always be known as the winter 
of deep snotts. A pleasant autumn terminated with a phenomenal 



Note: — f George H. Hand was born at Akron, Ohio, in 1837, and 
in his youth removed to Wisconsin, where he studied law. He 
served in the Chicago Board of Trade battery during the Civil War, 
and settled at Yankton in 1865. He was appointed successively 
United States attorney, register of the Yankton land office and 
secretary of the territory, holding tlie latter position from 1874 to 
1882. From Feb. 5 to June 24, 1880 he was acting governor. He 
died March 10, 1891, while attending the legislature at Pierre. 

Note: — J Gov. Ordway was born at Warner, New Hampshire in 
1828. He was successively superintendent of mail transportation in 
New England, sergeant at arms of the national house of representa- 
tives, and member of the New Hampshire legislature. As governor 
of Dakota he early incurred the hostility of almost the entire popu- 
lation of South Dakota. It was a period of wonderful developraenb 
and in the organization of new counties and the location of county 
seats the law made the governor an active agent and the impression 
that the governor was making county seats a commodity of commerce, 
rapidly became a fixed conviction in the public mind and it was 
generally believed that Gov. Ordway used his official position for 
the promotion of the passage of the bill for the removal of the capi- 
tal from Yankton for speculative purposes. This belief practically 
destroyed his usefulness as an executive. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 51 

snow storm beginning October 15 and continuing tbree days. 
Thousands of settlers on new homesteads were quite unpiepaied for 
so unusual a visitation and there was mucli suffering among both 
people and live stocl<. Tlie weather continued inclement and with 
little intenuption severe winter extended from the middle of October 
until late in April. ]]y the Tv'ew Year the railroads in the northern 
section were hopelessly blockaded and were not in operation again 
until early in May. The stocks of fuel and merchandise were quite 
exhausted and the settleis in the towns and on the faims alike were 
reduced to the necessity of resorting to most primitive means of 
living. The previous season had been fruitful, the fields yielding 
an abundance of grain and, after the troubles incident to the first 
storm in October, there was little actual suffering. 

7. The unusual length and severity of this winter in southern 
Dakota, brought about another untoward complication. Early In 
March the warm chinook winds came across the Rockies and released 
the floods of the Yellowstone and the upper Missouri which, pouring 
down over the extraordinary ice fields of the middle Missouri, pro- 
duced a general "breakup," accompanied by exceptionally high 
water. An ice gorge ninety feet in height formed at the mouth of 
the James river, which in a few hours time resulted in flooding the 
valley for miles above to tremendous depth. The village of Green 
Island, opposite Yankton, was utterly destroyed and the "mother 
city" herself suffered serious damage. When the ice gorge gave 
way the escaping waters swept the lower valley with terrible fury. 
The village of Vermilion, then situated under the hill, directly 
south of its present location, was swept away and all the bottom- 
land farms were submerged, causing great loss of buildings and live 
stock. 

8. The severe winter and subsequent flood had little effect upon 
Immigration, which in the spring of 18gl came on in greater numbers 
than previously. A season of good crops followed and then, as if 
to compensate the rigors of the preceding year, the winter of 1881-82 
was the mildest of any which we have record. Agricultural pursuits 
were carried on in each month of the winter. There was no snow, 

9. The legislature in 1883 provided for a commission to re- 
locate the capital of the Territory, which up to that time had been 
at Yankton. Many towns contested for the honor, but the com- 
mission finally decided upon Dismarck, in the northern part of the 
Territory. 

10. Gilbert A. Pierce* of Illinois, was appointed governor to 
succeed Nehemiah G. Ordway, in the summer of 1885. 



Note: — * Gilbert A. Pierce was a native of Catteraugus county 
New York and graduate of Chicago University. He served through- 
out the Civil War in the Ninth Indiana volunteers, entering as a 
second lieutenant and was mustered out a colonel. He had been 



52 ■ A HISTORY OF 



a member of the Indiana legislature, and was associate editor and 
managing editor of the Chicago Inter Ocean for twelve years. He 
was one of the first United States senators from North Dakota and 
has since been United States minister to Portugal. He is the 
author of several successful novels and a dictionary of Dicljens works. 



CHAPTER XXI. 
DIVISION AND STATEHOOD. 

1. As early as 1872, tlie territorial legislature memorialized 
Congress to divide the Territory of Dakota, upon the 46tlj parallel 
of latitude, and to erect two territorial governments. From tliat 
time forward, the division of the territory was constantly agitated, 
and Congress again and again petitioned to take action in the 
matter, but without avail.* 

2. During the session of the legislature in 1883, a bill passed 
both houses, providing for a constitutional convention at the capital 
in October of that year, for the purpose of framing a constitution 
for a state which should comprise all that portion of Dakota south 
of the 46th parallel. This bill was vetoed by Governor Ordway. 

3. The first independent citizen's movement, looking to a 
division of the territory began in a mass convention, held at Canton 
on June 21, 1882, representatives from ten counties of South Dakota 
being present. It was the unanimous sentiment of the delegates 
that earnest action should be taken, advocating the division of the 
territory and the admission of the south half. The convention 
organized as "The Dakota Citizens League" and appointed an 
executive committee of seven, with power to call a delegate conven- 
tion at Huron, t 

4. On June 19, 1883, a delegate convention of the people was 
held at Huron, to devise a plan of action.;]; Prior to the meeting 

of the convention, the press of the southern half of the territory, 



Note: — * At seven successive sessions, the territorial legislature, 
petitioned Congress for division, as follows: Jan. 12, 1871, unani- 
mous; Dec. 21, 1872, fou'r opposing votes; Dec. 19, 1874, one opposing 
vote; Jan. 24, 1877, unanimous; 1879, unanimous; 1881, asking for 
division into three states; 1882, unanimous. Not less than 42 differ- 
ent bills, relating to the division of Dakota Territory, were intro- 
duced in Congress, between 1882 and 1888. 

Note: — f The executive committee of "Dakota Citizens League" 
consisted of Wilmot WhitHeld and Joseph Ward of Yankton county, 
N. C. Nash of Lincoln, S. Fry Andrews of Turner, W. C. Bowers of 
Minnehalia, F. B. Foster of Hanson, and J. V. Himes of Union. 

Note: — X This convention was duly called by the executive com- 
mittee of "Dakota Citizens League." Its sessions were held in a 
great wigwam, erected by the citizens of Huron There were 188 
delegates from 34 counties. Fur list of delegates, see appendix D. 
B. G. Caulfleld of Lawrence was president and Philip Lawrence of 
Kingsbury was secretary. 



5t A HISTORY OF 

had taken unanimous and strong action for division. The convention 
was composed of tlie strongest and most capable men tlien residing 
in the territory. It was a great convention in every respect, and 
did its work with that calm deliberation and sagacity which encour- 
aged all friends of the movement. It adopted an address to the 
people, and an ordinance providing for a constitutional convention 
to meet in September of that year. This convention duly assembled 
in Sioux Falls, elected Bartlett Tripp, * president, and adopted a 
constitution, which was submitted to the people at an election held 
in November. It was ratified by a vote of 12,336 for, and 6,814 
against. A committee of representative men was appointed to 
present the constitution to congress.** Nothing came of this 
movement. 

5. The legislature of 1885 enacted a law providing for a con- 
stitutional convention to be held at Sioux Falls, September 8, 1885, 
to be composed of delegates from tliat portion of the territory south 
of the 46th parallel. This bill was approved by Gov-ernor Gilbert 
A. Pierce. An election for the choice of delegates to this conven- 
tion was held on June 20th. The convention assembled at Sioux 
Falls, Sept. 8, 1885, and Judge Alonzo J. Edgerton was chosen 
president.! The convention remained in session until the 22d day 
of September, and the constitution framed by it was adopted on the 
3d day of November by a vote of 25,132 votes for, and 6,522 against, t 

6. A provision for the prohibition of the manufacture and sale 
of intoxicating liquors was submitted separately and adopted by a 
vote of 15,552 for, and 15,218 against. A provision for minority 
representation in the legislature was rejected by a vote of 11,256 for, 



Note:— * For membership and officers of this convention, see 
appendix E. 

Note: — ** The following gentlemen comprised this committee: 
Bartlett Tiipp, Newton Edmunds and Hugh J. Campbell, ot 
Yankton, A. G. Kellam and F. M. Goodykcontz cf Chamberlain^ 
A. C. Mellette, of Wateitown, B. G. Caulfield, and G. C. Moody 
cf Deadwood, C. H. TVinsor and W. W. Brookings of Sioux Falls, 
John E. Whiteside of Vermilion, M. 11. Day cf Springfield, John 
M. Pease of Mt. Vernon, W. H. Brayton of Eee Heights, S. H. 
Bronson, Howard, James A. Ward, Pierre, Jolin Cain, Huron, A. 
Vf. Hagar, Mitchell, Oscar S. Gifford, Canton, Geo. Freeman, 
Elkpoint, James Baynes, Alexandria, Robt. Dollard, Scotland, E. 
W. Foster, Frankfort, Thomas Sterling, Northville, A. Boynton, 
Lennox, R. W. Welsh, Plankinton and R. C. Lake and C L. Wood, 
of Rapid City. 

Note: — f For the membership and officers of this convention, see 
appendix F. 

Note: — t The expense of this convention was borne by a tax, 
levied upon property situated south of the 46th parallel. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 55 

and 16,640 against. Huron was chosen the temporary seat of govern- 
ment by a vote of 12,695; Pierre receiving 10,574; Sioux Falls, 3,338; 
Chamberlain, 3,170, Alexandria, 1,374. 

7. The following state onicers were elected: — Arthur C. Mel- 
lette, Governor; Alexander E. Frank, Lieutenant-Governor; Hugh S. 
Murphy, Secretary of State; Frank Alexander, Auditor; D. W. Diggs, 
Treasurer; Robert Dollard, Attorney General; E. Sheridan Jones, 
Superintendent of Public Instruction; W. H. II. Beadle, Land Com- 
missioner; Alphonzo G. Keliara, Dighton Corson and John E. Ben- 
nett, Judges of the Supreme Court. Oscar S. Gifford and Theodore 
D. Kanouse, representatives to Congress. A legislature was also 
elected. 

8. The legislature was convened at Huron on the 14th day of 
December, 1885, and listened to an able message from Governor 
Mellette, after which, Gideon C. Moody and Alonzo J. Edgertoa 
were elected United States senators. The legislature passed a 
memorial to Congress and adjourned without further action. For 
four years thereafter, Congress took no final action in compliance 
with the prayer of the Soutli Dakotans, but, during all of this period, 
the campaign was actively prosecuted. Throughout the campaign 
for division and admission. General Hugh J. Campbell of Yankton 
was an active and earnest advocate. 

9. Finally, on the 22d day of February 1889, President Cleve- 
land approved the bill for the division of the territory, and ratified 
the Sioux Falls Constitution of 1885, providing, however, for a new 
convention to make necessary amendments.* This new convention 
was duly elected on the 14th day of May 1889, and assembled in 
Sioux Falls on the 4th day of July. f Judge Alonzo J. Edgerton 
was again elected president of the convention. With a few necessary 
amendments, the convention re-adopted the constitution of 1885, 
and passed an ordinance providing for a division of the property of 
the former territory. 

10. Tiie constitution was adopted by ah almost unanimous 
■vote at the election held on the 1st day of October. The prohibition 
clause was again submitted separately, and received 39,509 votes for, 
and 33,456 votes against it. In this year, there was a bitter tight 
for the location of the temporaiy seat of government, the result 
being 27,096 votes for Pierre, 14,914 votes for Huron; 11,970 votes for 
Watertown: 11,763 for Mitchell, 7,506 for Chamberlain. 



Note:— * For membership and officers of this convention see 
appendix. G. 

Note: — f The bill for the admission of South Dakota was known 
as the Omnibus Bill and provided for the admission of North 
Dakota, Montana, and Washington, as well. President Harrison's 
proclamation of Nov. 2, provided for the admission of these four 
states simultaueouly. 



56 A HISTORY OF 

11. Arthur C. Mellette was elected Governor; J. H. Fletcher, 
Lieutenant-Governor; Amund O. Elngsrud, Secretary of State; 
Lucius C. Taylor, Auditor; William F. Smith, Treasurer; Eobert 
Dollard, Attorney General; Alphonzo G. Kellam. Dighton Corson 
and John E. Bennett, Judges of the Supreme Court. John A. 
Pickler and Oscar S. Gifford were elected members of Congress. 
Members of the state legislature were also elected at the election of 
October 1st. 

12. On the 2d day of November, 1889, Benjamin Harrison, then 
President of the United States, issued his proclamation admitting 
South Dakota as a state of the Union. The legislature convened 
Immediately on that day, and elected Richard F. Pettlgrew and 
Gideon C. Moody, United States senators. 



CHAPTER XXII. 
THE MESSIAH WAR. 

1. The year in which South Dakota became a state of the 
Union, will always be known as tlie season of the gieat drouth, 
which was widespread througl) the central portion of the American 
continent, and came with peculiar severity upon the settlers of the 
newer counties on the South Dakota frontier. The homesteaders of 
Dakota had up to that time devoted themselves very largely to 
wheat growing and, not having as yet accumulated a surplus, the 
total loss of their crop, in this season, left many of them in a 
destitute condition. Tiirough the exertions of Governor Mellette, 
ample provision for the necessities of all were provided.* 

2. In another way this drouth seriously affected the young 
state for it deprived the Indians upon the reservations west of the 
Missouri river of their crops also and, as the government's provision 
for their sustenance was not sufficient for their maintenance, with- 
out being supplemented by crops of their own growing, they too 
were left in a condition bordering on staivation. Primarily, this 
was the reason of the uprising which occurred in the autumn of 1890. 

3. Early treaties with the Indians liad opened to settlement 
all that portion of South Dakota east of the Missouri river, and to 
the Black Hills country, except the small sections included in the 
Sisseton, Yankton, and Crow Creek reservations. A new treaty was 
negotiated in the summer of 1889, which relinquished the Indian 



Note: — *Governor Mellette's interpretation of the constitutional 
limitation of taxation and indebtedness, rendered it impossible to 
appropriate money to meet the necessities of the drouth stricken 
settlers and when the lull extent of the calamity became apparent 
the governor made an appeal to tlie people of the state to provide 
by private subscription for the wants of the settlers. Being disap- 
pointed in the response, the governor went to the large eastern 
cities and appealed for aid. To every subscriber he gave his promise 
that every dollar and every pound of grain should go directly to the 
worthy destitute, without being diminished by one cent for the 
administration of the fund. He faithfully kept the pledge and 
paid of his own money more than $3,600 for the expense of the 
administration. In the aggregate he secured $39,637.36 in cash, 
and so carefully did he expend it that the absolute necessities for 
food and seed, for every destitute family in the state was supplied 
and he still liad $3,961.10 in the fund, which he returned pro rata 
to the subscribers. This grand but tliankless work brought upon 
him the disapprobation of tlie boomer element and cost him his 
political popularity. 



58 A HISTORY OF 

title to the section Ijing between tlie Missouri river and the Black 
Hills, and between the Big Cheyenne river and the White liver. This 
treaty was duly ratified and the section opened to settlement in 
February, 1890. The failure of crops, the influx of settlers and tlie 
failure of the federal government to fully comply with the provisions 
of the treaty of 1877, in furnishing the Indians with sufflcieut pro- 
visions for their maintenance, combined to make the Sioux exceed- 
ingly dissatisfied and hostile. 

4 About this time, the Indians of the state of Nevada became 
excited over the pretentions of certain white and Indian imposteis, 
who assumed to be Messiahs of the Indian races. They promised to 
annihilate the white men, and to restore the Indians to their 
primitive condition, with vast supplies of the wild game whicii had 
already departed from the plains. These Nevada Indians sent 
runners to all of tlie Indian nations, and induced them to send 
emissaries to the Nevada country to be instructed by these Messiah 
pretenders, and these delegations came back to Dakota with wonder- 
ful promises, which greatly inflamed the minds of the dissatisfied 
Indians against tlieir white neighbors. The Messiahs introduced 
among the Indians a sort of sacred dance in which the various 
Dakota tribes indulged in a frenzy which increased almost to the 
point of insanity. 

5. Sitting Bu!l, a head man of tlie Standing Rock Sioux, and 
one of the most capable and cunning savages known in American 
History, took advantage of the dissatisfaction and of the frenzy of 
the Indians, to ceiuent them in a conspiracy to join all their forces 
in an uprising against the whites under his leadership, to begin in 
the spring of 1891. The government securing information of this 
conspiracy, determined to crush it in its incipiency. The leaders 
in it were Sitting Bull at Standing Rock, Short Bull at the Pine 
Ridge Agency, Hump, chief at the Cheyenne Agency, and Big loot, 
a warrior under Hump. 

6. General Nelson Miles, in commnd of the Department of 
the Missouri, determined to arrest and remove these leaders from 
the reservations, and the enterprise was undertaken about the first 
of Dcemher, 1890. The first movement was against Sitting Bull on 
December 11th, at his home near Standing Rock Agency, in North 
Dakota. Sitting Bull resisted arrest and was killed, together with 
seven of his warriors, but not until six of the Indian police had 
given up their lives. All of Sitting Bull's warriors were placed 
under arrest. 

7. Hump was visited by Captain Ewers of the regular army> 
at his liome near the Cheyenne Agency, and he surrendered without 
opposition. Big Foot, liowever, gathered a party of one hundred 
sixteen warriors and started for the Bad Lands on the White river, 
which was pre-arranged as the rendezvous of the hostiles. 

8. Short Bull, the liostile leader at Pine Ridge Agency, in 
November, had gathered a body of some three thousand hostiles and 



SOUTH DAKOTA S9 

taken tliem into tlie tortuous gulclies and ravines of tiie Bad 
Lands, whence they liad maintained themselves by robbing tlie 
peaceful Indians and white settlers of their herds. 

9. While these matters were in progress, General Brooke liad 
disposed a large force of soldiers about the reservation frontiers, in 
such a way as to protect the settlers, and at the same time, close in 
upon the hostiles. Governor Mellette had also been active and had 
armed the settlers and held the state militia in readiness to move 
to the frontier at a moment's notice. 

10. When it was learned that the camp of Big Foot had escaped 
the troops on the Cheyenne river, the troops on tlie south were 
warned to prevent him from joining the liostile element in the Bad 
Lands, and orders were given to the troops urjder Colonel Cair and 
General Brooke, not only to intercept the movement of Big Foot 
and party, but to cause their arrest. This was accomplished by 
Major Whiteside on the 2gth day of December, 1890, who met Big 
Foot one and one-half miles west of Porcupine creek and demanded 
his surrender. Tlie band submitted without resistance and moved 
with the troops seven miles, where they were directed to camp, 
which they did in such position as the commanding otticer directed. 

11. Major Whiteside had a force of four hundred seventy men 
as against one hundred six warriors then present in Big Foot's band. 
The next morning a scouting party of ten of Big Foot's band who 
had been out looking after the hostile band in tlie Bad Lands 
returned, and immediately thereafter, the Indian warriors, who had 
liidden their short guns under their blankets, opened fire upon tlie 
soldiers. In the short but decisive fight that followed, thirty 
soldiers were killed or mortally wounded, and two hundred Indians^ 
men, women, and children were killed. The remainder of the 
Indians were held prisoners. This affair occurred at Wounded Knee 
creels, and is known as the Battle of Wounded Knee. 

12. On that day, December 29th, Short Bull with liis camp of 
three thousand hostiles, had abandoned the Bad Lands and were 
returning to Pine Ridge Agency, probably with the intention of 
suspending hostilities but the news of the affair at Wounded Knee 
coming to them, they turned back and assumed a hostile attitude 
on White Clay creek, about seventeen miles from Pine Ridge Agency, 
his force being augmented by previously friendly Sioux, who had 
become excited by the news from Wounded Knee, until that nighb 
he had in his camp four thousand Indians, of whom tliere were more 
than one thousand fighting men. 

13. On December 30th, a small band of Sliort I^ull's Indians 
came near the Catholic Mission, four miles from Pine Ridge, and 
set fire to one of the small buildings. Colonel Forsythe with eight 
troops of cavalry and one piece of artillery, was sent out to drive 
tliem away. The Indians fell back, as he moved out, until they had 
proceeded six miles from the camp at Pine Ridge. There he halted 
and was immediately surrounded by a force of Indians. Colonel 



60 lA HISTORY OF 

Forsythe sent back for reinforcements, and Major Henry with four 
troops of cavalry and one Hotchkiss gun, moved out at once and 
drove the Indians away without casualty, thereby rescuing the 
Seventh Cavalry from its perilous position. Lieutenant Mann, of 
Colonel Forsythe's force, was mortally wounded, one private killed 
and several wounded. Not more than seventy young warriors 
engaged in this affair, which is known as the Skirmish at the 
Mission. On the same day the wagon train of the Ninth Cavalry 
was attacked by Indians, and was repulsed by the troops guarding it. 

14. On January 3d, an attack was made on Captain Carr's 
troop of the Sixth Cavalry and quickly and handsomely repulsed. 
The Indians were held in their position along White Clay creek 
until their frenzy had somewhat subsided. 

15. At this time. General Miles, who. had a personal acquaint- 
ance with most of the leading hostiles, assumed personal command 
of the troops in the field, and, by his wisdom and sagacity, was 
enabled to bring them to reason and restore confidence. On the 
16th of January, the hostlies came in and camped under the guns of 
the soldiers, and surrendered their entire force of nearly four thou- 
sand people. They surrendered nearly seven hundred guns, and, as 
hostages for their good behavior, the persons of Kicking Bear and 
Sliort Bull, the two leaders, and twenty other warriors, of the same 
class, were taken to Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where they were held 
for a period to guarantee a permanent peace. The entire campaign 
from the time of the arrest of Sitting Bull, until the surrender of 
the hostiles at Pine Ridge, was but thirty-two days.* 

16. While the general government was preparing for the cam- 
paign as above outlined Governor Mellette took prompt action to 
place the state militia on a war footing and the South Dakota 
National Guard was ready to move to the frontier at a moment's 
notice. In the Black Hills, Colonel Merrit H. Day, under the 
direction of Governor Mellette, gathered up two companies of volun- 
teer cavalry and hastened to the Bad Lauds where they rendered 
most effective service until the trouble was over. 



Note:— * The Messiah War is so interesting an event in the 
history of the state that the report of General Nelson Miles, then 
department commander, made to the war department upon the 
causes of the war and the campaign following is embodied in a chap- 
ter published as part of appendix H. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

1890—1898. 

1. In the summer of 1890, an Independent political party, an 
outgrowth of the Farmers Alliance movement, sprang into existence 
and precipitated a campaign which was most earnestly fought. Tlie 
Republican ticket was again successful. Governor Mellette was re- 
elected, the opposing candidates being H. L. Loucks, independent, 
and Maris Taylor, Democrat. The first state officers were re-elected, 
with the exception of John R. Gamble for Congress in place of 
Oscar S. Gifford. William Walter Taylor, State Treasurer, Cortez 
Salmon, Superintendent of Schools, Thomas H. Rutli, Commissioner 
of Schools and Public Lands. The legislature, however, left the 
Republicans in a slight minority as against a fusion of the Demo- 
crat and Independent votes.* James H. Kyle, after a protracted 
dead-lock in the legislature, was elected United States senator, as a 
compromise candidate, in place of Gideon C. Moody, who had served 
since statehood, f John R. Gamble, member of Congress, who had 



Note — :* The legislature of 1891, was so constituted that Mr. 
Chas. X. Seward, elected to the house of representatives from Cod- 
ington county, as an independent republican held the balance of 
power between the regular republicans on one hand and the fusion 
of tlie democrats and independents on the other. The Fuslonists 
selected Mr. Seward as their candidate for Speaker, which gave them 
control of the legislative organization. The seats of several certified 
republican members were contested and the Fusionists unseated 
enough of them to give them a good working majority in the house 
and upon joint ballot. 

Note: — f The senatorial contest began on January 20th, and 38 
ballots were taken, terminating February 16, before an election 
resulted. Gideon C. Moody was the republican caucus nominee for 
re-election. Bartlett Tripp received the Democratic strength and 
the independent vote was divided among several leaders. There 
were 169 votes on joint ballot, 85 being necessary for a choice when 
all members were present and voting. On tlie first ballot Gideon C. 
Moody received 76 votes, Bartlett Tripp 24, Janies W. Harden 20, 
Geo. C. Crose 15, Alonzo Wardall 10, Samuel W. Crosand 9, Hugh 
J. Campbell 5, H. C. Preston 3, Z. D. Scott 2, and Oscar S. Gifford, 
Eugene A. Dye, William Elliot and Americus B. Melville one vote 
each. The balloting continued without material change until 
Feb. 5, when the republicans concentrated the greater portion of 
their strength upon Americus B. Melville, giving him 53 votes, 
while 56 independent votes were on that day given to Hugh J. 



€2 A HISTORY OF 

not yet taken his seat in that body, died in the summer of 1891, and 
at a special election held in November of that year, John L. 
JoUey of Vermilion, was elected his successor. 

A splendid crop in this year restored the confidence of the set- 
tlers in the new state, and during this and the succeeding season, 
a period of prosperity prevailed. There was, however, little 
immigration. 

2. In 1892, the Republican ticket was again successful in the 
election, Charles H. Sheldon of Day county being elected Governor ; 
Araham L. VanOsdel, Independent, and P. F. McClure, Democrat 
being opposing candidates. The state officers elected this year were 
Charles N. Herieid, Lieutenant-Governor; Thomas Thorson, Secre- 
tary of State; John E. Hippie, State Auditor; Thomas H. Ruth, 
Commissioner of School and Public Lands; Cortez Salmon, Superin- 
tendent of Instruction; Coe I. Crawford, Attorney General. John 

.A. Pickler and William V. Lucas were elected to Congress. 

3. With the summer of 1893, the great financial depression 
which came upon tlie country at large, fell with especial severity 
upon South Dakota, where the settlers were not yet prepared to 
resist so far reaching a financial stringency. In that year, the 
original Supreme Court was re-elected, but on the 31st day of Decem- 
ber, Judge John E. Bennett died. Howard G. Fuller, of Faulk 
county was appointed by Governor Sheldon to fill the vacancy 
caused by Judge Bennett's death. 

4. The election of 1894 was again favorable to the Republicans. 
Governor Sheldon was re-elected over Howe, Independent, and 
James A. Ward, Democrat. Kirk G. Phillips was elected State 
Treasurer; Frank Crane, Superintendent of Public Instruction; 
Jolin L. Lockhart, Land Commissioner ; Robert J. Gamble succeeded 
Wlllaim V. Lucas in Congress. 

5. The year 1895 opened with an event which startled the 
people of the state, and coming as it did upon the heels of the great 



Campbell, Mr. Tripp retaining his original strength. On February 
11, the republicans again presented Mr. Moody with 67 votes, the 
independent strength for the first time on this day being concen- 
trated on James H. Kyle, who received 59 votes. On February 13, 
the Republicans presented Thos. Sterling as the party candidate and 
gave him 64 votes, wliich owing to an unusual number cf absentees 
on that day lacked 5 votes only of an election. On Sunday, Febru- 
ary 15, a number of independent members signified their intention 
of voting for Governor Mellette, a republican, unless an election was 
reached at the first ballot on Monday morning. This announcement 
led the democratic members to come to an agreement with the 
independent members to unite upon the election of Mr. Kyle, which 
agreement was carried out at the session on Monday, February, 16, 
when Mr. Kyle received 75 votes, a majority of all present, thus 
terminating the contest. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 63 

finanical depression of 1S93, still further distressed the people and 
disastrously effected the credit of the community. William Walter 
Taylor, the outgoing state treasurer, who had hitherto enjoyed the 
absolute contidence of the people, and upon whose integrity no reflec- 
tion had ever been cast, defaulted in the sum of $367,000, the entire 
available cash in the treasury, and he absconded, going to Central 
America and other foreign points, from whence he had hoped to 
efTect a comproruise with the state. Failing in this, he returned 
and surrendered himself to the authorities. He was convicted of 
embezzlement and sentenced to two years incarceration in the state 
penitentiary, a defect in the law rendering a longer sentence impos- 
sible. His successor, Mr. K^irk G. Phillips, entering office with an 
empty treasury, by great energy and sagacity, soon placed the state 
upon a sound financial footing. 

6. The experiences of the settlers in Dakota had by this time 
convinced the more progressive element that it was un5,afe to depend 
so entirely as formerly upon wheat growing for livelihood, and many 
farmers turned their attention to other lines of industry. About 
this time the first new process creameries were erected in the state, 
and in many of the central counties quite revolutionized agricultural 
methods to the great gain of the people. 

7. Jn January, 1896, Judge Kellam of the "Supreme Court 
resigned, and Dick Haney of Davison county was appointed to suc- 
ceed him In the election of that year, Andrew E. Lee, the candi- 
date of a fusion of the Populists, or Independents, with the Demo- 
crats, was elected governor ever Araund O. Ringsrud, the Republican 
candidate. John E. Kelly and Freeman Knowles were elected to 
Congress over Robert J. Gaarble and Coe I. Crawford, Republicans. 
The other state officers elected were William H. Roddle, Secretary 
of State: Kirk G. Phillips, State Treasurer; Henry E. Mayhew,- 
Auditor; John L. Lockhart, Land Commissoner; Frank Crane, 
Superintendent of Public Instruction; all Republicans. Melvin E. 
Grigsby, Fusionist candidate, was elected Attorney General over 
Stephen V. Jones, opposing candidate. Arthur C. Mellette, first 
governor of the state, died in May of tfiabyear. 

8. The legislature of 1897, after a most bitter and protracted 
contest, re-elected James H. Kyle, United States senator.* 



Note:—* Mr. Kyle's second election by the"legislature of 1897 was 
an event even more interesting than his election in 1891. His first 
choice, as has been seen, resulted from a combination of tiie Demo- 
crats and Independents or Populists, while curiously enough his 
second election was due to a combination of Republican and Populist 
votes. The legislature of 1897 consisted of 126 votes on joint ballot 
of which 53 only were Republicans and^9 were Democratic, the 
remainder being Populists. Maj. John A. Pickler was the Republi- 
can nominee, Irving A. Weeks the Democratic candidate, aird the 
Populist strength was divided between James II. Kyle, Henry L. 



64 A HISTORY OF 

9. In 1898, Governor Lee was re-elected over Kirk G. Phillips, 
Kepublican candidate. Eobert J. Gamble and Charles H. Burke, 
Kepublicans, were elected to Congress. John T. Kean was elected 
Lieutenant-Governor; William H. Koddle, Secretary of State; John 
Schamber, State Treasurer; David Eastman, Land Commissioner; 
E. E. Collins, Superintendent of Public Instruction; John L. Pyle, 
Attorney General; all Eepublicans. In October of that year, Gov- 
ernor Charles H. Sheldon, second governor of the state, died. 



Loucks, Adoniram J. Plowman, Frank M. Goodykoontz and Andrew 
J. Keller. From the outset Mr. Kyle led the Populist strength, 
having 33 votes. The contest began January 19, and ended February 
18. Twenty-seven joint ballots were taken. On the last ballot the 
Bepublican vote was thrown to Mr. Kyle, giving him 65 votes 



CHAPTEK XXIV. 

THE SPANISH WAR. 

1. Souti) Dakota promptly sent more than lier quota of volun- 
teers in response to the call of the president, when tlie Spanisli AVar 
came on in 1898.* Her forces were otganized in the First Regiment 
South Dakota Volunteers, of which Alfred S. Frost was Colonel; 
Lee Stover, Lieutenant-Colonel and Charles A. Howard and Williana 
F. Allison, Majors; and a battalion of cavalry, known as Grigsby's 
Cowboys, organized and commanded by Colonel Melvin S. Grigsby. 

2. The First Regiment served tliroughout the war and until 
October, 1899, in the Philippines. The Cowboy Cavalry was sent 
south to the encampment at Chickamauga, with tiie intention of 
sending them to Cuba, if required tliere, but their services, fortu- 
nately, were not demanded in active warfare and they were mustered 
out in August 1898. f 

3. The First Regiment was mustered in at Sioux Falls early 
in May 1898, and comprised thirteen companies, with 1008 men. ij; 
The Regiment arrived at Cavite, P. I., August 24, 1893, and saw its 
first active services in the skirmish about Cavite, August 24, 25 and 
26th. It took honorable part in the battle of Manila, February 5th, 
1899, and led in tlie charge upon and capture of Block House No. 4. 
It served with peculiar distinction througliout the campaign to 
Malolos, fighting bravely at Malabon on Marcl)25tli; at Palo and 
Mayacanjan on March 26th; at Marilao and Bocave on March 2'ith; 
at Bigaa on 'March 29th and was among the first to enter Malolos, 
the insurgent capitol, on March 30 and 31st. It fought at Calumpit 
on April 24tli; at San Fernando on May 24th, and was in many other 
engagements of more oi less importance. Twenty-three of its mem- 
bers were killed in action. One was drowned. Four died of 
wounds, and thirty-two from disease, making a total death loss cf 
Cny-nine. Sixty members of tlie regiment received wounds in 
battle. 

4. At the battle of Marilao on March 27th, the South Dakota 
Regiment won especial distinction for heroism and soldierly quali- 



Note: — * Under the president's call of April 23, for 125,000 volun- 
teers for two years, or during the war, South Dakota's quota was 925 
men. 1008 men were furnished in the first regiment volunteer 
infantry and about 300 in the Third U. S. Volunteer cavalry, known 
as Grigsby 's Cowboys. 

Note: — f See appendix I. 

Note: — I See appendix J. 



€S A HISTORY OF 

ties. Nine of her men were left dead upon tlie field, including First 
Lieutenant and Adjutant Jonas H. Lien; Lieutenant Sidney E. 
Morrison of Company E., and Lieutenant Frank EI. Adams of Com- 
pany H. The Regiment was one hundred twenty-three days on the 
firing-line without rest. 

5. Its members performed many acts of conspicuous bravery. 
Sergeant John Hoi man was promoted to a lieutenancy for bravery 
in action. He led the advance across Mayacanyan railroad bridge 
in the face of the fire of the entrenched enemy on the opposite 
shore.* Captain Clayton VanHouten was nominated for promotion 
for bravery in action. He carried a mountain Howitzer over a river 
under the fire of the enemy. f 

'6. The Regiment was mustered out at San Francisco on 
October 5, 1899, and were returned home as the guests of the state, 
and were welcomed upon their at rival witiiin tlie state by President 
McKinley and his cabinet on October 14th, 1899. 



Note: —* Lieutenant Holman's exploit is thus described by an 
eye witness: "It was on Maich 26, we found the insurgents 
entrenched across the Mayacanyan river, along the railroad. The 
river was too wide to ford. Tlie natives were lying under cover on 
the other side, firing upon us. Tlie officers deemed it too dangerous 
to cross the bridge. We soon noticed tliat they had set the bridge 
on fire on the opposite side of the river. Adjutant Lien mentioned 
the fact. Some one sliouted, "Let the bridge go." "No, we want 
the bridge," replied the adjutant. Holman volunteered to go over 
and put the fire out and without waiting for orders dashed across 
the long bridge, with the rebel bullets whistling about liis ears and 
fairly shrieking as they glanced oflf the steel girders of the bridge. 
He crossed in safet-y and easily extinguished the fire and coolly 
turned to fire on the enemy entrenched but a few yards away. The 
remainder of the command dashed over and the insurgents were soon 
routed. " 

Note: — t It was March 2"], at Marilao when Captain VanHouten 
especially distinguished himself. His command reached the river 
to find the railroad bridge, about 200 feet in length, almost des- 
troyed, but the stringers were still in place. The Americans rushed 
across on these stringers to find the insurgents in strong force hidden 
in the woods near by. It was necessary to have artillery to dis- 
lodge them, but the officers in charge of the field guns which had 
just come up to the river thought it impossible to cross. Capt. 
VanHouten hurried back and urged the artillerymen to cross the 
guns, but they still insisted that it could not be done. Seizing a 
three hundred pound mountain Howitzer, Capt. VanHouten lifted it 
from its carriage, swung it to his shoulder and ran with it across 
the slender bridge, while the astonished men followed with the 
carriage. The gun was soon in action and the insurgent troops 
were driven from the woods. 



CHAPTER XXV. 
BEGINNING A NEW CENTUKY. 

1. The most notable feature of the last few years is the record 
of general piosperib)' in the state. The financial depression, begin- 
ning with 1893, had run its course and the price of products as well 
as that of lands took an upward turn in the closing years of the last 
century. Coupled with the fact that our citizens were producing 
more wealth per capita than those of any other state, the knowledge 
that lands were still selling at reasonable prices caused settlers to 
come this way in order to better their conditions. Within four 
years there was a phenomenal land movement and it has kept up 
throughout the period. Farm lands have doubled and even trebled 
in value and the prices of the best tillable lands average up with 
any other of the newer states. 

2. In the fall of 1899 Dighton Corson, Howard G. Fuller and 
Dick Haney, the Republican candidates, were elected judges of 
the Supreme Court, over Edmund Smith, Julian Bennett and Cornel- 
ius D. Kennedy, union reform canidates The Populist movement 
which had its rise in 1890, by fusing with the Democratic party lost 
its identity and in 1900, the Republicans, after a strenuous cam- 
paign, and favored by a winning national campaign, elected the 
entire state and congressional ticket, the legislature liaving a work- 
ing majority of one hundred. Governor Lee closed a very creditable 
administration and has to his credit a piominent part in the state's 
Spanish "War record. 

3. Besides the officials that were re-elected the following were 
inaugurated in January, 1901: Chas. N. Herreid, Governor : Geo. 
W. Snow, Lieutenant-Governor; O. C. Berg, Secretary of State; 
J. D. Reeves, Auditor: John Schamber, Treasurer; and Frank 
Le Cocq. Railroad Commissioner. E. W. Martin succeeded R. J. 
Gamble as congressman. The legislature elected R. J. Gamble to 
succeed Senator Pettigrew who had held his office since statehood. 
The Republicans were once again in complete control of all the 
offices. 

4. During the first administration of Gov. Herreid several 
noteworthy events took place. A commission was appointed 
to revise the Code of Laws, a law school w^as established at the 
State University and the Department of History was organized with 
headquarters at Pierre. Several new college and public buildings 
were completed, besides new railroads projected and a considerable 
mileage constructed. Senator Kyle, who was a meruber of the 
Federal Industrial Commission, overtaxed his strength, and after a 
brief illness, died, July 1, 1901. A. B Kittredge, prominent attor- 
ney and publicist of Sioux Falls, was appointed to till the vacancy. 



68 A HISTORY OF 

5. Ab tlie November election of 1902, the "Kepresentatives, 
Goveiuor, Lieubenaut-Governor and Secretary of State, were re- 
elected by increased majorities. Tlie following succeeded the two- 
term officials.: J. F. Ilalladay, Auditor; C. B. Collins, Treasurer; 
C. J. Bach, Commissioner of School and Public Lands; Geo. W. 
Nash, Superintendent of Public Instruction; Philo Hall, Attorney- 
General; and D. H. Smith, Eailroad Commissioner. In the legis- 
lature were 120 Republicans and 20 Democrats. At the session of 
1903, Senator Kittredge was elected for tlie remainder of vacant 
term and for the six years' term commencing March 4, of that year. 
Tlie finances of the state having sufficiently recovered from the 
misfortune of 1895, the legislature made generous appropriations and 
many new and substantial public buildings were caused to be 
erected. The Navy Department having named one of the battle- 
ships "The South Dakota," a party of state officials attended the 
launciiing at San Francisco and it was christened by the governor's 
daughter, Miss Grace Herreid. 

6. Two spectacular events took place in this administration. 
During the summer cf 1904, a part of the Rosebud Indian Reserva- 
tion was thrown open to settlers. There were about 2400 homesteads 
subject to entry. The government decided to distribute these by 
lot. Upwards of 100,000 people presented themselves for registry at 
Yankton and Bonesteel, in the few weeks before the drawing, and 
it brought visitors from all over the country. Many were attracted 
to the state and became citizens. All the exciting conditions of a 
frontier prevailed at Bonesteel for a time but the civil authorities 
were able to control the situation. This was the last stand of "bad 
man" bluster that our state may ever see. 

K For some reason certain members of tlie legislature of 1903 
entered into a combination which precipitated another capital fight. 
The cities of Huron, Redfield and Mitchell agreed to determine 
which of the three should become a candidate for the honor against 
Pierre. Mitchell was selected and an election ordered for 1904. 
The campaign opened early in tlie year and before long developed 
into a contest between two rival railroads, the Milwaukee and the 
Northwestern, the former supporting Mitchell and the latter Pierre. 
Free transportation was easily secured and it is estimated that over 
100,000 people visited each of the two cities before election day. 
During the last two weeks as many as desired rode as far and often 
as they pleased on these two lines, within the state, witliout the 
formality of getting tickets or passes. It was a continuous state- 
wide picnic of unique proportions. The utmost good humor pre- 
vailed and in spite of tlie crowded conditions of the extra long trains 
not a serious accident was recorded. Pierre won the contest by over 
17,000 majority and will ever remain tlie permanent capital. 

8. At the same time the following new officials were selected 
In addition to those who were re-elected: Samuel H. Elrod, Gov- 
ernor; J. E. McDougal, Lieutenant-Governor; and D. D. Wlpf, 



SOUTH DAKOTA 69 

Secretary of State. The custom of holding jurlicial elections on 
"ofT years" being abandoned, the three Supreme Judges were 
re-elected (See page 67 Sec. 2.) The new administration was a con- 
servative one and epochal in several particulars. It saw the projec- 
tion apd partial completion of over 800 miles of railway: The Mil- 
waukee from Cl)amberlain to Rapid City and from Mobridge west 
into Butte county, the Northwestern from Pierre to Rapid City, the 
Minneapolis and St. Louis from Watertown to Leola and from Conde 
to the Missouri river at Le Beau, and the Dakota Central north- 
wards in the direction of Watertown, besides other short extensions. 
New steel railway bridges, spanning the Missouri river at Piere and 
at Mobridge, were commenced, the foundation of the east wing of a 
$500,000 capitol building was laid, the bonded debt of the state was 
extinguished, and a record-breaking immigration to the vacant 
lands west of the river should be noted. 

9. The state campaign of 1906 was characterized by an exciting 
factional contest on the part ot the Republicans, which resuiod in 
a slight change of policy and an almost new official deal ail around. 
There were the average Republican majorities and these were 
inaugurated in January, 1907: Coe. I. Crawford, Governor; H. C. 
Shober, Lieutenant Governor ; D. D. Wipf, Secretary of State; John 
Herning, Auditor; C. H. Cassill, Treasurer; Hans A. Ustrud, 
Superintendent of Public Instruction; O. C. Dokken, Commissioner 
of School and Public Lands; S. W. Clark, Attorney-General; and 
George Rice, Railroad Commissioner. Philo Hall and Wm. H. 
Parker were elected to Congress. The legislature was almost unani- 
mously Republican and re-elected Senator Gamble for a term of six 
years. It has also to its credit the passage of 251 laws, the largest 
number in the history of the state. The capitol fund was increased 
$100,000 and generous appropriations for several new college build- 
ings were made. The close of the first half of this official term saw 
the completion of the steel bridge at Pierre, two lines cf railway to 
the Black Hills, forming the long cherished connecting links 
between the two halves of the state, and a beautiful capitol building 
under process of construction. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 
HEROES AND NOTED CHARACTERS. 

1. The history of the state would not be complete without 
mention of some personal incidents connected with its exploration 
and settlement and a brief account cf men and women of note. 
The experience of John Colter, while not occurring within the con- 
fines of this state, is a remarkable example of physical endurance. 
He got permission from Lewis and Clark to remain in the Missouri 
valley as trapper. Being captured by the Indians, he was offered 
his freedom if he could outrun chosen pursuers. Being stripped for 
the race he was given a few hundred yards the start and struck out 
for a distant water course. Before reaching the timber along the 
river, he avoided capture by killing the swiftest runner, plunged 
inter the stream and hid liimself under a pile of driftwood. The 
other Indians after a long search gave lilm up as drowned. After 
nightfall he crawled out and, naked and unarmed as he was, suc- 
ceeded in reaching a wliite settlement in seven days, subsisting 
meanwhile on berries and roots. 

2. While Lewis and Clark was encamped on the Vermilion, 
two of their horses strayed away. George Siiannon, the youngest of 
the party was sent in search of them and did not overtake the 
expedition for sixteen days. Ilis only food was berries and what 
game he could secure by capture after the fourth day, when liis 
supply of bullets ran out. He was just on the point of killing his 
only horse for food when he reached the boats. 

3. Hugh Glass, with the Hunt expedition, was badly lacerated 
by a grizzly bear out on tlie Grand river. He was left in charge of 
two associates and after five days, seeing, as they tliought, no chance 
for his recovery, they stripped him of his accoutrements, left him to 
his fate and reported him as dead. He revived sufficiently to crawl 
to a spring and, on a diet of water and berries, gained strength 
enough to start to Ft. Kiowa, a hundred miles away. His progress 
was slow and perilous. His only substantial food was a part cf a 
buffalo calf which he took from a pack of wolves. He spent a year 
or two in trying to find, and avenge himself on, those who deserted 
him in his distress. 

5. One of the most noted characters of frontier days, was 
Jedediah Smith, a member of the Ashley expedition in the spring 
of 1823. After the massacre of some members of the party by the 
Eees, on .lune 2d, General Ashley called upon some one to volunteer 
to carry a message to Major Henry up the Yellowstone. The only 
response was that of Smith, a youth of eighteen. It was a perilous 
undertaking of over a thousand miles through a hostile country. 
Before starting, this young hero, an ardent Methodist, kneeled by 



SOUTH DAKOTA 71 

tlie dead and dying on the deck of the boat and made a prayer, which 
is the tirst recorded act of worship in what is now South Dakota. 
He succeeded in reaching Henry, returned to St. Louis and was back 
at the Ree town in time to assist Col. Leavenworth in his attack 
upon the marauding Hidians. In sixty-six days he had traveled 
about four thousand miles, alone, through a hostile territory, by 
means of pony and canoe. He afterwards engaged in the fur trade 
and tliroughout his career on tlie frontier was consistent in all 
his acts. 

6. While it was caused by a mistaken alarm, the ride of 
Samuel J. Brown from Ft. Sisseton, in 1866, has the elements of 
tlie heroic in it. He was a mixed blood chief of scouts. Learning, 
as he supposed, that hostile Indians were going to attack the white 
settlements, he hastily wrote a note to the commandant at Ft. 
Abercrombie and started from Sisseton at sundown to inform a 
scouting party on the James liver, near the present site of Ordway. 
He readied tliere at midnight and learned that it was a false alarm. 
He tlien started back in order to intercept his message to the fort 
before the messenger started in the moining, got lost in a blizzard, 
wandered far out of iiis way but arrived before nine o'clock in the 
morning, having ridden a distance of over a hundred and fifty miles. 
He fell from his pony exhausted and paralyzed and has never been 
able to take a natural step since that day. 

1. One of Gen. Custer's favorite scouts was known as Charley 
Reynolds. He did not aflect the dress and bearing so common to 
the profession but was taciturn and brave. During the Black Hills 
expedition, of 1874, he undertook to carry dispatches through to Ft. 
Lamaie, over one hundred and fifty miles distant. With only a 
com|,ass for his guide he made the trip through a wild country, 
infested by Indians. Often when hiding by day he could hear the 
voices of his savage enemies. During the last nights of his march 
he had to walk to save his horse. For hours he could find no water 
and with his lips parched and throat swollen so that he could not 
close his mouth he delivered his dispatches. The officers reported 
his narrow escape, not he. After sufficient rest he made his way 
back to Ft. Lincoln. He died with Custer in 1876 and lies buried 
on that battlefield unwept and unhonored. The exploits of John 
Holman and Capt. Yanllouten in the Philippines have already 
been noted in foot notes to Chapter XXIV. 

8. The whites were not the only heroes. In 1857, John Other 
Day and two other Christain Indians volunteered to visit the rene- 
gade Inkpadu'a's camp fur the purpose of rescuing some Spirit Lake 
captives. They were well supplied with provisions and trading 
goods but the venture was a hazardous one. They proceeded from 
Lac qui Parle to Lake Herman and then followed the trail of the 
retreating fugitives to Old Ashton Mrs. Noble had been killed two 
days before but they succeeded, after much parleying, in purchasing 
the release of the girl, Abbie Gardner. 



72 A HISTORY OP 

"9. Some of the Sbetak captives, of 1862, were discovered up 
the Missouri by "Major" Gal pin. He reported the fact at Ft. 
Pierre. Martin Charger with ten of his Indian associates, who had 
made oath to help the whites, set out to rescue the prisoners. They 
found the hostile camp opposite the mouth of the Grand liver. 
After much diplomacy and many threatenings, they purchased the 
two women and six children by trading off nearly everything they 
had with them. Suffering many hardships from cold and hunger 
the party finally reached Ft. Pierre. In due time the captives 
^ere sent east to their friends. These heroes were untutored sav- 
ages and their deed is worthy of record. 

10. Not for acts of heroism, but because of some distinction or 
peculiarity that marked their career, the name of several persons 
of both races are frequently mentioned. They are not all in the 
same class. 

Black Buffalo, the Teton chief, was prominent in opposing the 
expedition of Lewis and Clnvk when they were passing the mouth of 
the Teton (1804,) and in othei forays against the fur traders. During 
the war_with Great Britain, however, he was friendly to the United 
States. 

Big White, the Mandan chief, was induced to goto Washington 
by Capt. Lewis, on his return from the west, and attracted consider- 
able attention. The government had quite an experience in getting 
him back to his tribe past the Ree villages. 

11. In the War of 1812, Major Robert Dickson, a Scotch fur 
trader, who had married a Sioux woman, in what is now Brown 
county, succeeded in enlisting a party of Sissetons in the British 
service. They went with him as far as Fort Meigs in northern 
Ohio. A part of his detachment deserted him and returned west. 
A young nephew of his so distinguished himself in an attack on 
Fort Stephenson, an American post, that he was given the name 
Waneta, ("the charger" ) He was finally advanced to the rank of 
captain and was loyal to the British government for some years. 
Later he had reason to swear allegiance to the American flag, settled 
down near his old home on the Elm river and became tlie most 
distinguished Sioux chief of his period. 

12. There were several Indians and half-breeds that became 
prominent as friends of the whites. Struck-by-the-Ree, the Yank- 
ton, was instrumental in securing the treaty of 1858, and kept his 
tribe from joining the hostiles in 1862. It was his proud boast that 
''no white man's blood had ever stained his hands." 

Mrs. Galpin, the comely Sioux woman, wife of "Major" Galpin, 
was a tried friend of the whites. Slie prevented several massacres, 
saved valuable government stores, ventured into Sitting Bull's camp 
and tried to get him back from Canada, and altogether was an 
illustrious character. 

Charles F. Picotte, a well educated mixed blood Yankton, was 
an influential and useful citizens of the territory at the time of its 



SOUTH DAKOTA ' 73 

organization. He had great influence over the Indians in those dajs 
and looked after their rights in the making of treaties. For his 
services the government gave him a section of land at Yankton. 
He lielped build the first Territorial capital. Loyal to both races, 
liis career was an honorable one. 

13. Among Indian characters whose very name inspired terror, 
was that of Inkpaduta ("Scarlet point,") the leader of the Wakpeduta 
band of renegade Sioux. lie was born at Lake Madison and early 
in life commenced a career of treachery and crime. He was leader 
of tiie Spirit Lake massacre and was present at, and participant in, 
nearly all Sioux Indian deviltry down to the battle of the Little 
Big Horn in 1876. After that encounter lie escaped to Canada and 
in time died a natural death. 

Less shrewd and treacherous, but with similar cunning, the 
noted Sitting Bull was prominent in our annals for half a century. 
He gained most of his distinction among his people through his 
powers of oratory. As leader of the discontented classes he was 
the cause of much trouble to the government and a terror to the 
frontier. He took part in the Custer figl)t, at a safe distance, 
acting as medicine man. He fled to Canada after the battle, returned 
in 1881 and was in prison for two years. For some time he lived a 
retired life, apparently peaceable, but was afterwards mixed up in 
the Messiah ciaze of 1890 and was killed by the Indian police while 
resisting airest at his home, on the Grand river, December 15, 1890, 
as is fully described in another chapter. 

U. No other federation of Indian tribes produced a larger 
galaxy of famous warrior chiefs in one generation than did 
the great Sioux nation. The renown of at least seven of them 
was nation wide. Red Cloud, the Oglala chieftain, operated 
west of the Hills and prevented the opening of the Montana 
wagon read through the buffalo hunting grounds in 1867-8. 
Having gained his point he ceased his warfare and later moved to 
Pine Ridge Agency, where, decrepit and almost blind, he is (1907) 
awaiting the Great Spirit's call. Spotted Tail, the Brule, was one 
of the greatest red men of the past century. He was prominent in 
treaty making and in the lawful opening of the Black Hills. In 
1876, he was made head chief of the Sioux nation and remained a 
reliable friend of the government and a judicious advisor of his own 
race. He was assassinated by a sub-chief of tlie Oglalas, at Rosebud 
in the fall of 1881. Chief Gall, a Hunkpapa, shared with Crazy 
Horse, an Oglala, the distinction of leading the combined Indian 
forces against Gen. Custer at the battle of the Little Big Horn. 
He was romanesque in appearance and was called" The Majestic." 
After peace terms were latilied, lie and his contemporary, John Grass, 
the great counselor, became judges of the Indian court at Standing 
Rock Agency, and wielded their influence for good. Last was Rain- 
in-the-face, another Oglala, tlie unrelenting foe of Tom Custer, about 
whose action in revenge there has been so much controversy. 



74 A HISTORY OF 

15. Of eccentric characters, theie are a few, about whom many 
stories are told. It was Louis Agard, the Frenchman, who, while 
in charge of a stoiehouse in early days near Fort Pierre, scared a 
party of marauding Indians away by pointing his loaded pistol afc 
an open keg of powder and balls. Charles Collins tried to found a 
little Irish-Ameiican empire on the Brule Reservation in 1869, in 
order to be readj; for a Fenian invasion of Canada. Jack Crawford, 
the poet-scout, was a well-known Black Hills pioneer. Gen. C. T. 
Campbell, proprietor of the noted hostelry in Scotland, was one of 
the most peculiar and unique characters, of early days, in the 
southern part of the state. 

16. Because of their picturesque and venturesome lives, or as 
desperadoes, they chanced to meet with violent deaths, a few persons 
have had considerable notoriety. "Jim" Somers, a desperado, was 
sergeant-at-arms of the first legislature and a member of another. 
He was afterwards killed for jumping a claim near Chamberlain. 
"Wild Bill" (Jas. B. Hickok,) scout, stage driver, and one time 
marshal, was murdered in a Deadwood saloon (1876) by a man whom 
he had supposed to have injured. 'Arkansaw Bill" an outlaw, was 
driven out of Pierre in the early 80's, came back in defiance and, 
while making a disturbance, was killed by a vigilance committee. 
"Jack" Sully was a noted cattle rustler across the river and met the 
fate of most of such characters. Some of these have been embalmed 
in story. 

SOURCES:— 

Various state and local histories. 
Historical Collections, "Vols. I, II. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

LITERARY BEGINNINGS. 

1. Our state is too new to have attempted much along the 
line of literary endeavor. The energies of lier people have been 
directed in other channels. The soil had to he subdued, mines 
opened and a commonwealth erected. Now that these things are 
well under way, we may expect tosee more attention paid to literary 
pursuits. Already an humble beginning has been made and some of 
our wiiters have acquired more than a state-wide reputation. 

2. History was about the first subject to receive attention. 
As early as 1866, Hon. Moses K. Armstrong wrote an "Early History 
of Dakota Territory," which was so complete, as lai as it went, 
that has formed the basis of several other sketches wliich have 
followed. Dr. William M. Blackburn left a manuscript history of 
the state which has since been published by the State Historical 
Society. Mrs. Anna E. Tallent and Eev. Peter Rosen have each 
given us a history of tlie Black Hills and Dr. Thomas M. Shanafelb 
contributed a "Baptist History of South Dakota." A few local 
historians have done good work. The compiler of the 1900 edition 
of this brief history ol the state, has since added two other volumes 
to the state's quota, besides publishing the results of much valuable 
work in the line of original research. 

3. The poetic muse has been frequently courted. Several 
little volumes of verse have been issued: "Dakota Zephyrs," by 
Sara T. Clover; "Midst the Coteaus of Dakota, " by Doane Robinson; 
"Across the Wheat," by Will Dillman; "Happy Days," by Charles 
E. Holmes; "Hagar, " by Rollin J. Wells; and one each by Robert 
V. Carr and Will P. Chamberlain. Selected pieces of verse from 
the pens of Mortimer Crane Brown and ethers, who have contributed 
to newspapers and magazines, make up a creditable little volume, 
entitled "A Book of Dakota Rhymes;" collected and arranged by 
B. W. Burleigh and G. G. Wenzlaff. This latter volume does not 
include all who might now be mentioned, since it was published 
In 1898. 

4. Some may say that a start was made in imaginative writing 
when the first "boom" pamphlets were produced. Activity, however, 
in the creation of creditable works of fiction has more than kept pace 
with other kinds of authorship. While not now residents of the 
state, three or four writers, who have had successful careers, lived 
here for a time and either commenced their work while with us or 
drew upon their experiences and observations for romantic material. 
Hamlin Garland's "Little Norsk" and 'Main Travelled Roads" 
have a Dakota setting. F. H. Carruth's "Voyage of the Rattletrap" 
Is founded upon a pioneer experience. Rev. Stewart Sheldon, author 



7e A HISTORY OF 

of "In His Steps" was pastor of tbe Congregational churcii at 
Yankton a few years. 

Judge George H. Marquis has written a Dakota story, "Fair- 
view's Mystery" and Kate and Virgil Boyle are joint authors of 
"Langford of the Three Bars", a story of merit. Will Lillibridge 
has produced two novels that have been well received and had an 
extensive sale, "Ben Blair" and "Where the Trail Divides." 
This is a partial list of our novelists. There are others of promise. 

5. Of scientific writers, there are a few who have published 
the results of their investigations. Prof. James E. Todd holds high 
rank as a geologist and Dr. Cleophas C. O'Hara has won favorable 
notice in the same line. F. F. B. Coffin published treatises on irri- 
gation and other subjects. 

Prof. Willis E. Johnson is the author of a work on Mathemati- 
cal Geography" which is published by a leadi,ng book company. 

6. Several educational texts bear the imprint of prominent 
local and outside publishing houses. Gen. W. H. H. Beadle wrote 
a "History and Geography of Dakota." Prof. H. J. Davenport is 
the author of a work entitled the "Principles of Political Economy." 
Prof. George Lilley evolved his "Elements of Algera" while a resi- 
dent of the state and Prof. Jas. H. Shepard has written a "Brief 
Course in Chemistry" for use in secondary schools. Prof. J. A. 
Boss contributes a "Civil Government of South Dakota" and Drs. 
Smith and Young are joint authors of the "State and Nation" and 
a "History and Government of South Dakota," and individual work, 
besides. 

7. A number of miscellaneous titles may be mentioned as 
showing the variety of subjects treated: "The Biography of a 
Prairie Girl," by Eleanor Gates, who was an early resident; "The 
Smoked Yank," by Gen. Melvin Grigsby; "A Plea for an American 
Language," by Elias Molee; several volumes of Sioux Indian texts 
and language studies by Kevs. Riggs and Williamson; "A Gumbo 
Lily" and "A Dakota Girl," by Stalla Gilman; "Indian Boyhood" 
and "Red Hunters," by Dr. Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa;) and 
"Indian Legends," by Zit-kala-za. The latter two authors are 
native Indians, the one a young lady. 

Omissions in the above lists of writers are possible but not 
intentional. Less pretentious but more or less valuable is the work 
of certain newspaper men and pamphleteers, who have done their 
part in giving character to our growing literary output. 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 
CONCLUSION 

1. South Dakota, in the fifty years which liave elapsed since 
lier first considerable settlement, Ijas passed through the varying 
vicissitudes incident to pioneer life, in some of lier experiences 
suffering even more than ordinary difficulties, all of which she has 
lesolutely put behind her and at the beginning of the twentieth 
century finds herself in the truest sense a commonwealth. 

2. Endowed with a soil of unifoim fertility, with a climate 
unsurpassed foi liealthfulness, and with a population of indomitable 
pluck and courage, loyal and intelligent, these are an unfailing 
guarantee of a future which shall crown the state the equal of any 
otlier in the Union. 

3. Many of the hardships experienced by the early settlers was 
due to the fact that climatic conditions existing in South Dakota 
demanded diffeient agricultural processes from those employed in 
the more eastern states and these new processes had necessarily to be 
evolved from experience. Intelligent experimentation has developed 
methods adapted to the environment and in point of per capita 
production, Soutli Dakota lias for several years past exceeded ail the 
other states. In 1905 and 1906 tlie cash value of new wealth pro- 
duced in each year was more than two hundred and fifty dollars per 
capita. On August 22d, 1907 the bank examiners reported over 
$50,000,000 deposited in the banks of South Dakota, being over $100 
per capita. 

4. In addition to her boundless agricultural wealth, thirty- 
four years of development have proven her gold mines to be inex- 
haustible. The mineral production for 1906 approximated $10,000,000. 

5. The settlers early laid the foundation for a broad and liberal 
educational system. The first territorial legislature on April 22, 
1862, located a state university at Vermilion. This institution, 
which has developed into one of great strength and usefulness, was 
not opened until October 16th, 1882. The state college of agriculture 
and mechanic arts, which is combined witli the government experi- 
ment station, is located at Brookings; the state school of mines, a 
technical school for imparting instruction in mineralogy, metallurgy 
and raining engineering, is established at Rapid City, and there are 
state normal schools at Madison, Spearfish, Aberdeen and Springfield. 
The state also maintains a school for deaf mutes at Sioux Falls, a 
school for the blind at Gary and an industrial (reform) school at 
Plankinton. 

The following figures on the productions of the state of South 
Dakota for the year 1898, were compiled by the Chicago Tribune, from 
the report of the U. S. department of agriculture. 



78 A HISTORY OF 

Wheat, 40,000,000 bushels $25,000,000 

Corn, 39,000,000 bushels 10,000,000 

Gold and other minerals .. 10,000,000 

Live stock 20,000,000 

Oats, barley and rje 8,000,000 

Flax and other grains 5,000,000 

Hay and grass 8,000,000 

Dairy and other products 4,000,000 

Wool, hides and furs 2,000,000 

Sundry items ol agricultural output. . . .8,000,000 

Total not counting manufacturers. . . $100,000,000 
In 1906 the estimated total had reached the sura of $145,812,831.29. 

6. There are also several important schools, of liigher education, 
maintained by the different religious denominations. The oldest of 
these, in point of fact the oldest of the higher schools in the state, is 
Yankton College, Congregatiotialist, at Yankton. This church also 
has a college at Redfield. The Methodists maintain Dakota Wesleyan 
University at Mitchell and Black Hills Academy at Hot Springs. 
Huron College is Presbyterian, Sioux Falls College, Baptist. The 
Scandinavian Lutherans have a college at Canton and a normal 
school at Sioux Falls. Tlie Catholics have a higher school for 
girls at Vermilion. 

7. The crowning gloiy of the state is her system of common 
schools, comprising 3,300 separate schools with 5,000 teachers and 
140,000 pupils. The system has a royal endowment of 2,000,000 acres 
of land, which under the provisions of the state constitution, may 
not be sold for less than $10 per acre,* and the funds arising from 
the sales thereof are tc be kept an inviolate Investment for the 
maintenance of the schools. 

8. In addition to the chaiitable and benevolent institutions 
endowed and conducted'by the state government, the people of the 
state are maintaining several noteworthy charities and benevolence.'?; 
among them the Children's Home at Sioux Falls, the Lutheraii 
orphanage at Beresford, Catholic liospitals at Mitchell, Yankton, 
Pierre, Milbank and Hot Springs, and the Presbyterian hospital at 
Sioux Falls. 

9. The United States government maintains advanced schools 
for the education of Indians at Chamberlain, Flandieau, Pierre and 
Rapid City in addition to numerous schools at the various agencies 
and at important Indian camps. The general government also has 
located an asylum for the insane Indians at Canton, and a National 
Santarium at Hot Springs. 

10. With admission as a state. South Dakota was created a 
federal court district with a provision for semi-annual terms to be 

Note:—* Chief credit is due to Gen. W. H. H. Beadle in the 
securing of this provision of the constitution. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 79 

held at Aberdeen, Deadwood, Pierre and Sioux Falls. Tlie chambers 
of the court and offices of the court officers are established at Sioux 
Falls. Alonzo J. Edgertcn was appointed the first Judge of the 
District court, and upon liis death, August 10, 1896, John A. Garland 
was appointed his successor. Cri'us J. Fiy, Otto Peemiller, 

Edward G. Kennedy and Seth Bullock have been the marshals of the 
court. 

11. From the territory to state; from trapper, poineer trader, 
claim holder, ranchman to farmer and town builder with all the 
conveniences and many of the luxuries of life, such is the epitome 
of the history of the state. In one generation Soutli Dakota has 
repeated the experiences of a century in other commonwealths. The 
accomplishments of her past must needs be the prophecy of her future. 

THE KND. 



APPENDIX A. 



DATE OF CREATION AND OF THE ORGANIZATION OF 
EACH COUNTY. 



Nam 3 

Aurora 

Beadle 

Bon Homme 

Brookings 

Brown 

Brule 

Buffalo 

Butte 

Campbell 

Charles Mix 

Clark 

Clay 

Codington 

Custer 

Davison, 

Day 

Deuel 

Douglas 

Edmunds 

Fall River 

Faulk 

Grant 

Gregory 

Hamlin 

Hand 

Hanson 

Hughes 

Hutchinson 

Hyde 

Jeiauld 

Kingsbury 

Lake 

Lawrence 

Lincoln 

Lyman 

Marshall 

McCook 

Meade 

McPherson 



Whencreated 
Feb. 22, '79 
Jan. 8, '73 
Apr. 5, '62 
Apr. 5, '62 
Feb. 22, '79 
Jan. 14, '75 
Jan. 6, 
Mat. 5, 
Jan. 8, 
May 6, 
Jan. 8, 
Apr. 10, 
Feb. 15, 
Jan. 11, 
Jan. 8, 
Feb. 22, '79 
Apr. 15, '62. 
Jan. 10, '73 



8, 



Jan. 
Mar. 
Jan. 
Jan. 
May 
Jan. 
Jan. 
Jan. 13, 
Jan. 8, 
May 8, 
Jan. 8, 
Mar. 9, 
Jan. 8, 
Jan. 8, 
Jan. 11, 
Apr. 15, 
Jan. 8, 
Mar. 10, 
Jan. 8, 



'73 
'83 
'73 
'73 
'62 
'73 
'73 
'71 
'73 
'62 
'73 
'83 
'73 
'73 
'75 
'62 
'73 
'85 
'73 



Jan. 8, '73 



When organized 
Aug. 8, '82 
July 9, '80 

= 62 
Jan. 21, '71 
July 20, '80 
Jan. 14, '75 
Jan. 13, '71 
July 11, '83 
Nov. 6, '83 
Sept. 1, '79 
Dec. 21, '80 

'62 
July 19, '78 
Apr. 3, '77 

'74 
Dec. 5, '81 
Apr. 26, '78 
July 10, '82 
July 14, '83 
Nov. 17, '83 
Oct. 25, '83 
June 5, '78 
Aug. 23, '98 
Aug. 12, '78 
July 10, '82 
Jan. 13, '71 
Nov. 20, '80 
Jan. 13, '71 
Apr. 12, '84 
Oct. 1, '83 
Dec. 13, '79 
Sept. 1, '73 
Mar. 5, '77 
Dec. 30, '67 
May '93 
July 22, '85 
May 16, '78 
May 7, '89 
Nov. 3. '83 



Pop. 1905 

14,562 

10,064 

11,135 

14,019 

17,794 

5,237 

705 

3,975 

4,587 

11,212 

8,701 

8,981 

11,295 

2,899 

10,057 

13,785 

7,477 

5,974 

5,293 

4,222 

3,962 

9,600 

7,024 

6,962 

5,071 

5,669 

3,921 

12,231 

1,882 

3,576 

11,199 

9,888 

21,060 

12,742 

4,263 

7,101 

9,0.37 

5,405 

5,727 



SOUTH DAKOTA 81 



Miner 

Minnehaha 

Moody 

Pennington 

Potter 

"Roberts 

Sanborn 

Spink 

Stanley 

Sully 

Turner 

Union 

Walworth 

Yankton 

Indian Keservations, 



Jan. 


8, 


'73 


Apr. 


15, 


'62 


Jan. 




'73 


Jan. 


4, 


'75 
'73 


Mar. 


8, 


'83 


Mar. 


9, 


'83 


Jan. 


8, 


'73 


Jan. 


8, 


'73 


Jan. 


8, 


'73 


Jan. 


13, 


'71 

'62 


Jan. 


8, 


'73 


Apr. 


10, 


'62 



Total 



Nov. 8, 


'80 


6,271 


Jan. 4, 


'68 


27,282 


Aug. 11, 


'73 


8,893 


Mar. 5, 


'77 


6,078 


Nov. 6, 


'83 


2,978 


Aug. 1, 


'83 


13,905 


June 23, 


'83 


5,387 


July 22, 


'79 


11,3.34 




'89 


2,649 


Apr. 4, 


'83 


1,479 


Jan. 13, 


'71 


13,895 




'62 


11,212 


May 5, 


'83 


4,005 




'62 


13,398 

18,542 

455.590 



APPENDIX B. 

SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTIES. 

DATE OF SETTLEMENT AND NAME OF ORIGINAL SET- 
TLER, SO FAR AS OBTAINABLE AND PLACE OF 
SETTLEMENT IN EACH COUNTY. 

Auroia '79, by J. Briedenbach and Oliver P. Ames on Firesteel 
creek. 

Beadle '79, by Charles Miner, at mouth of Pearl creek. 

Brown '77, by Clarence D, Johnson, near Yorkville. 

Bon Homme '28, by Zephry Rencontre, at Bon Homme. Modern 
settlement by Geo. T. Rounds and others, '58, at Bon Homme. 

Brookings '57, by Franklin J. DeWitt, at Medary. Abandoned. 
'69 by Nels O. Trygstad, at Medary. 

Brule '22, by M. Bijou, at Bijou Hills. Abandoned. '73 by 
D. W. Spaulding, at Brule City. 

Buffalo '01, by M. Loisee, on Cedar Island. Abandoned. '63, 

Clark W. Thompson, at Crow Creek Agency. 

Butte '77, in Belle Fourche and Hay creek valleys. 

Campbell, about '64, by Andrew March, at Vanderbilt. 

Charles Mix 1796, by M. Trudeau, at White Swan. Abandoned. 
'78 by N. B. and John W. Reynolds, at mouth of Cedar creek. 

Clark '78, by John Bailey at Julian. 

Clay '57, by Frost, Todd & Co,, at Vermilion. 

Codington '73, by David D. Keller and Joseph B. Montgomery 
at Lake Kampeska. 

Custer '75, by Gordon Tallent and McKay, at Custer. 

Davison '72, by Levi Hain, at mouth of Firesteel. 

Day '68, by Francis Eondell, at Waubay. 

Deuel '71, by Henry H. Herrick, at Gary. 

Douglas '78, by Robert Dollard and R. Gage, at Tripp. 

Edmunds '80, by Ezra Diew and Ira Dibble, at Ipswich. 

Fall River '76, near Buffalo Gap. 

Faulk '80, by parties from St. Louis, Missouri, center of county. 

Grant '65, by Scot Roberts and Moses Mireau, at Bigstone. 

Gregory '56, by Gen. Harney, at Ft. Randall. 

Hamlin '77 at Lake Poinsett. 

Hand '80, by Henry Kile, on Turtle creek. 

Hanson '71, by Samuel and Peter Bloom, at Rockport. 

Hughes '30, by Narcelle, at Rosseau. 

Hutchinson '70, by John, Henry and Thomas Maxwell, at 
Maxwell's Mills. 

Hyde '80, by several homesteaders. 

Jerauld '76, by Levi Hain, at Wessington Springs. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 8i 

Kingsbury '73, by Jacob ITanson, at Lake Albert. 

Lake '70, by Willam Lee, at Lake Ilermaa. 

Lawrence '75, by gold miners. 

Lyman '56, by fur traders. 

Lincoln '61, by L. P. Hyde, at Canton. 

McCook '71, by H. C. Miller, at Miller's Gulcb. 

McPberson '81, by colony of German-Russians. 

Marshall '82, Frank Ford, Pleasant Valley. 

Meade '75, at Sturgis, by Gillison Fletcher, Wm. Meyers. 

Miner '79, by John O'Dell, at Howard. 

Minnehaha '56, by D. M. Mills, at Sioux Falls. 

Moody '57, by Dakota Land Co., at Flandreau. 

Pennington '75, by iransient prospectors. 

Potter '82, by Frank Aldrich, Forest City. 

Eoberts about '79, name of parties unknown. 

Sanborn '57, by G. W. Hunter, near Forestburg, 

Spink '78, by Samuel W. Bowman and H. P. Packard, at Ashton. 

Stanley, '17, by Joseph Le Framboise, at mouth of Bad river. 

Sully, '82, by several homesteaders, near Blunt. 

Turner '69, by Gideon C. Moody and others at Swan Lake. 

Union '48, by Louis Le Plant, at Sioux Point. 

Walworth '75, by Antoine Le Beau, at Le Beau. 

Yankton '57, by Maj. W. P. Lyman, at James river ferry. 



APPENDIX C. 

TEREITOKIAL OFFICERS. 

A complete list of all territorial ofiHcials, including all members 
of the territorial legislature. 

The civil history of Dakota Territory dates from May 2*7, 1861, 
when Gov. William Jayne, appointed from Illinois, arrived at 
Yankton and entered upon the duties of his position, since then the 
territory has had ten executives, as follows: 



William Jayne 
Newton Edmunds 
Andrew J. Faulk 
John A. Eurbank 
John L. Pennington 



'61-63 William A. Howard '78-80 

'63-66 Nehemiah G. Ordway '80-84 

'66-69 Gilbert A. Pierce '84-87 

'69-74 Louis K. Church '87-89 

'74-78 Arthur C. Mellette '89-89 



The other territorial officials of presidential appointment were 
as follows: 

SECRETARIES. 



John Hutchinson 


'61-65 


Oscar Whitney 


'73-74 


S. L. Spink 


'65-69 


Geo. H. Hand 


'74-83 


T. M. Wilkins 


'69-70 


J. M. Teller 


'83-86 


G. A. Batchelder 


'70-72 


M. L. McCormack 


'86-89 


E. S. McCook 


'72-73 


L. B. Richardson 


'89-89 




CHIEF JUSTICES. 




Philemon Bliss 


'61-64 


Peter C. Shannon 


'73-81 


Aia Bartlett 


'65-69 


A. J. Edgerton 


'81-85 


George W. French 


'69-73 


Bartlett Tripp 


'85-89 




ASSOCIATE JUSTICES. 




S. P. Williston 


'61-65 


Wm. E, Church 


'83-86 


J. S. Williams 


'61-64 


Louis K. Church 


'85 87 


Ara Bartlett 


'64-65 


Seward Smith 


'84-84 


W. E. Gleason 


'65-66 


W. H. Frances 


'84-88 


J. P. Kidder- 


'65-75 


John E. Carland 


'87-89 


J. W. Boyles 


'64-69 


Wm. B. McConnell 


'85-88 


W. W. Brookings 


'69-73 


Clias. M. Thomas 


'86-89 


A. H. Barnes 


'73-81 


James Spencer 


'87-89 


G. G. Bennett 


'75-79 


Roderick Rose 


'88-89 


G. C. Moody 


'78-83 


C. F. Terapleton 


'88-89 


J. P. Kidder 


'78-83 


L. W. Crcfoot 


'88-89 


C. S. Palmer 


'83-87 


Frank R. Aikens 


'89-89 


S. A. Hudson 


'81-85 







SOUTH DAKOTA 85 

UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS. 

W. E. Gleason '61-64 ITiigh J. Campbell "77-85 

George H. Hand '66-69 John E. Garland '85-88 

Warren Coles '69-73 William E. Turcell '88-89 

William Pond '73-77 John Murphy '89-89 

UNITED STATES MAESIIALS. 

William F. Shaffer '61-61 J. 15. Raymond '77-81 

G. M. Pinney '61-65 Harrison Allen '81-85 

L. IT. Litchfield '65-72 Daniel W. Maratta '85-89 

J. II. liurdick '72-77 

SUREVYORS GENERAL. 

Geo. D. Hill '61-65 Henry Experson '77-81 

William Tripp '65-69 Cortez Fesseden '81-85 

W. H. H. Beadle '69-73 Maris Taylor '85-89 

Wm. P. Dewey '73-77 B. H. Sullivan '89-89 

DELEGATES TO CONGRESS. 

J. B. S. Todd '62-64 G. G. Bennett '79-81 

W. F. Burleigh '64-69 R. F. Pettigrew '81-83 

S. L. Spink '69-71 J. B. Raymond '83-85 

M. K. Armstrong '71-75 Oscar S. Giffoid '85-88 

J. P. Kidder '75-79 Geo. A. Mathews '88-89 

FIRST LEGISLATURE. 

The members of the" first territorial legislature were elected, 
Sept. 16, 1861. The assembly convened at Yankton, March 17, 1862; 
and continued in session until May Inth. It passed 91 general laws 
25 memorials to Congress and 25 private laws, among the latter, two 
divorces and one law incorporating the Missouri and Niobrara Rail- 
road Company, Chapter 8 of general laws was a code of civil pro- 
cedure, and included 617 sections. Chapter 9 was a code of criminal 
procedure of 262 sections. The membership was as follows: 

COUNCIL. 

.Tohn H. Shober, President. 
H. D. Betts, W. W. Brookings, J. S. Gregory, J. W. Boyle, A. 
Cole, Enos Stutsman, D. T. Bramble, Jacob Deuel. 

HOUSE. 

Geo. M. Pinney, Speaker. 
Moses K. Armstrong, Christopher Maloney, HughS. Donaldson, 
Lyman Burgess, A. W. Puett, Reuben Wallace, J. A. Jacobson, 
John Stanage, Geo. P. Waldron, John C. McBride, John L. Tiernon, 
B. E. Wood. , 



86 A HISTORY OF 

Second Legislature — 

The second legislature met at Yankton Dec. 1, 1862 and con- 
tinued in session until Jan. 9, 1863. It passed 57 general laws 
including 33 chapters of a ciiminal code, 15 memorials to Congress 
and 8 private laws. The membership was as follows: 

COUNCIL. 
Enos Stutsman, Piesident. 
TV. W. Brookings, Jacob Deuel, J. II. Shober, Austin Cole, D. 
T. Bramble, J. Shaw Gregory, J. W. Boyle. J. McFetridge, H. D. 
Betts. 

HOUSE. 

A. J. Harlan, Speaker.* 

M. K. Armstrong, M. H. Somers, Knud Larson, L. Bothun, 

Edward Gifford, F. D. Pease, J. Y. Buckraan, J. A. Jacobson, A. 

W. Puett II. S. Donaldson, R. M. Johnson, N. J. Wallace, G. P. 

Waldron. 

* Resigned Dec. 16. Succeeded by Moses K. Armstrong. 
Third Legislature — 

The third session convened at Yankton Dec. 7, 1863 and con- 
tinued until Jan. 15, 1864. It passed 42 general laws, including 5 
amendments, 9 memorials to Congress, 16 private laws, and repealed 
4 private laws. It had the following members: 

COUNCIL. 

Enos Stutsman, President. 
J. M. Stone, John Mathers, D. P. Bradford, M. M. Rich, G. 
W. Kingsbury, Lasse Bothun, J. Shaw Gregory, J. O. Taylor, Hugh 
Compton, Franklin Taylor, John J. Thompson. 

HOUSE. 
A.W . Puett, Speaker. 
L. Burgess, L. A. Litchlield, Peter Keegan, Ole Bottolfson, 
W. W. Brookings, N. G. Curtis, E. M. Bond, Wm. Shriner, O. L. 
Pratt, John Lawrence, Henry Brooks, Knud Larson, "Washington 
Reid, P. H. Risling, E. W. Wall, Jesse Wherry, Asa Matteson, B. 
A. Hill, Duncan Ross, Albert Gore. 
Fourth Legislature— 

The fourth session met at Yankton Dec. 5, 1864 and continued 
until Jan. 13, 18f)5. It passed 32 general laws, including the penal 
code of 18 titles, 3 amendments, 7 memorial and joint resolutions 
and 9 private laws. The membership was as follows: 

COUNCIL. 
Enos Stutsman, President. 
J. M. Stone, G. W. Kingsbury, J. O. Taylor, M. M, Rich, John 



SOLTH DAKOTA 87 

Mathers, Lasse Bothun, ITugli Compton, Fianklin Taylor, D. P. 
Bradford, J. Shaw Gregory, John J. Thompson. 

HOUSE. 
"VV. W. Brookings, Speaker. 
L. Burgess, T. P. liuigman, A. Christy, B. W. Collar, Felicia 
Fallas, .1. P. Hanson, Beter Keegan, Geo. W. Kellogg, P. Lemoges, 
John Lawrence. M.M.Mattliiescn, Ilelge Mathews, Francis McCarthy, 
John W. Owens, G. W. Pratt, Washington Ried, John Rouse, Will- 
iam Shriner, George Stickney, E. W.IIall, John W. Turner. 
Fifth Legislature — 

The tiftli session convened at Yankton Dec. J, 1865, and con- 
tinued to Jan. 12, 18()<). It passed 33 general laws, including three 
cliapters of a criminal code, 22 joint resolutions and memorials to 
Congress and 7 private laws. It had the following members: 

COUNCIL. 
George Stickney, President. 
M. K. Armstrong, Austin Cole, G. W. Kingsbury, Chas. 
LaBreech, Nathaniel Ross, Enos Stutsman, O. F. Stevens, John J. 
Thompson, John W. Turner, A. L. Van Osdel, Knud Weeks. 

HOUSE. 
G. B. Bigelow, Speaker. 
T. C. Watson, E. C. Collins, William Walter, Michael Cuny, 
Miclieal Ryan, James VVhitehorn, II. J. Austin, Amos Hampton, 
Frank Taylor, James McIIenry, Joseph Ellis, A. M. English, Jacob 
Branch, H. C. Ash, S. C. Fargo, W. W. Brookings, J. A. Lewis, 
Chas. H. McCathy, William Stevens, Edward Lent, George W. 
Kellogg, Charles Cooper, Jonathan Brown. 
Sixth Legislature — 

The sixth session convened at Yankton Dec. 4, 1806, and con- 
tinued to Jan. 12, 1867. It passed 23 general laws, including ten 
amendments and 5 repeals, 7 private laws and 21 memorials and 
joint resolutions. The membership was as follows: 

COUNCIL. 
M. K. Armstrong, President. 
Austin Cole, A. G. Fuller, G. VV. Kingsbury, Clias. LaBreecli, 
J. A. Lewis, D. M. Mills, Nathanial Ross, O. F. Stevens, John J. 
Thompson, John W. Turner, A. L. Van Osdel, Knud Weeks. 

HOUSE. 
J. B. S. Todd, Speaker. 
H. C. Ash, Horace J. Austin, D. T. Bramble, W. N. Collamer, 
Michael Curry, Hugh Fraley, Thomas Frick, I. T. Gore, William 
Gray, Hans Gunderson, M. U. Iloyt, Daniel Hodgen, Amos Hanson, 



88- A HISTORY OF 

E. M. Johnson, Geo. "W. Kellogg, Vincent LaBelle, Chas. H. 
McCarthy, N. C. Stevens, William Sbevens, John Trumbo, Franklin 
Taylor, Eli B. Wixon, Kirwin Wilson. 
Seventh Legislature — 

Convened at Yanlcton Dec. 2, 18G7, and adjourned Jan. 10, 1868. 
Passed 37 general laws, including 2 amendments, 5 private laws and 
18 memorials and joint resolutions. Chapter 1 of the general lavps 
was a code of civil procedure under 14 titles. The membership was 
as follows: 

COUNCIL. 

Horace J, Austin, President. 
W. W. Brookings, W. W. Benedict, Aaron Carpenter, R. J. 
Thomas, Hugh Fraley, R. R. Green, A. H. Hampton, Geo. W. 
Kellogg, C. E. Rossteusclier, Chas. H. Mclntyre, D. M. Mills, J. A. 
Lewis. 

HOUSE. 

Enos Stutsman, Speaker. 
William Blair, William Brady, F. Bronson, Jacob Brauch, 
Jonathon Brown, Caleb Cummings, Michael Curry, F. J. DeWitt, 
Martin V. Farris, Felicia Fallas, I. T. Gore, Hans Gunderson, Amos 
Hanson, M. U. Hoyt John L. Jolly, James Keegan, G. C. Moody, 
T. Nelson, Micbeal Ryan, Calvin G. Shaw, John J, Thompson, J. 
D. Tucker, Thomas C. Watson. 
Eighth Legislature- 
Convened at Yankton Dec. 7, 1868, and adjourned'Jan. 15, 1869. 
Passed 27 general laws, 17 special and private laws and 19 memorials 
and resolutions. It had the following membership. 

COUNCIL. 

N. J. Wallace, President. 
Horace J. Austin, W. W. Benedict, W. W. Brookings, Aaron 
Carpenter, Hugh Fraley, R. R. Green, A. H. Hampton, Geo. W. 
Kellogg, J. A. Lewis, Chas. H. Mclntyre, C. F. Rossteuscher, B. E. 
Wood. 

HOUSE. 
G. C. Moody, Speaker. 

Alfred Abbott, Chas. D. Bradley, G. G. Bennett, Calvin M. 
Brooks, Jacob Brauch, John Clemetson, N. G. Curtis, J. M. Eves, 
J. Shaw Gregory, J. T. Hewlett, O. T. Hagan, John L. Jolly, A. 
W. Jameson, IHram Keith, James Keegan, Lewis Larson, Knud 
Larson, J. LaRoche, Joseph Moulin, Chas. Ricker, Enos Stutsman, 
M. H, Someis, R. T. Vinson. 



SOLril DAKOTA 89 

Ninth Legislature — 

Convened at Yankton Dec. 5, 1870, and continued to Jan. 12, 
1871. It passed 44 general laws, including a civil code of 2,034 
sections, 12 special and private laws, 32 memorials to Congress and 
7 joint resolutions. The membeisliip was as follows: 

COUNCIL. 
Emory Morris, President. 
M. K. Armstrong, Jacob lirauch, W. W. Cuppett, Hugh Fraley, 
Silas W. Kidder, Nelson Miner, Clias If. Mclntyre, J. C. Kennedy, 
W. T. McKay, James M. Stone, John W. Turner. 

HOUSE. 
George H. Hand, Speaker. 
Chas. Allen, V. H. L. Barnes, F. J. Cross, C. P. Dow, A. P. 
Hammond, John Hancock, Wm. Ilolbrough, O. B. Iverson, II. A. 
Jerauld, James Keegan, J. LaRoche, Nelson Learned, A. J. Mills, 
E. Miner, Noah Wherry, R. Mostow, S. L. Parker, Amos F. Shaw, 
Phillip Sherman, John C. Sinclair, Ole Sampson, E. W. Wall. 
Tenth Legislature — 

The tenth session met at Yankton Dec. 2, 1872, and continued 
to Jan. 10, 1873. It passed 52 general laws, including 7 amendments 
and 4 repeals, 15 special and private laws, 4 joint resolutions and 42 
memorials to Congress, It had the following membership: 

COUNCIL. 
Alex. Hughes, President. 
D. T. Bramble, E. B. Crew, H. P. Cooley, J. Flick, John 
Lawrence, Nelson Miner, Joseph Mason, J. Gehan, Chas. H. 
Mclntyre, Enos Stutsman, O. F. Stevens, Henry Smith. 

HOUSE. 

A. J. Mills, Speaker. 

Samuel Ashmore, Ole Bottolfson, John Becker, Jacob Brauch, 

Newton Clark, N. B. Campbell, Michael Glynn, William Hamilton, 

James Hyde, Cyrus Knapp, T. A. Kingsbury, Judson LaMoure, E. 

A. Williams, Ephriam Miner, George Norbeck, Joseph Roberts, A. 

B. Wheelock, O. C. Peterson, Silas Rohr, Martin Trigstadt, J. W. 
Turner, John Thompson, B. E. Wood, W. P. Lyman, Jens Peterson. 

Eleventh Legislature — 

Met at Yankton Dec. 7, 1874, and adjourned Jan. 15, 1875. 
Enacted 93 general laws, including 17 amendments and nine repeals, 
15 special and private laws and 24 memorials bo Congress, The 
membership was as follows: 

COUNCIL. 
John L. Jolly, President. 
H. J. Austin, Jacob Brauch, Phillip Chandler, Benton Fraley, 



90 A HISTORY OF 

W. G. Harlan, John Lawrence, A. McHench, M. Pace, M. W. Sheaf, 
O. F. Stevens, Clark S. West, E. A. Williams. 

HOUSE. 
G. C. Moody, Speaker. 
H. O. Anderson, George Bosworth, Hector Biuce, J. L. Berry, 
L. Bothun, Michael Curry, Desire Chausse, J. M. Cleland, Patrick 
Hand, John H. Haas, Knud Larson, Joseph Zltka, H. N. Luce, W. 
T. McKay, Henry Riefsnyder, Amos F. Shaw, C. H. Stearns, Ira 
Ellis, L. Sampson, S. Stevenson, A. L. Van Osdel, M. M. Williams, 
Scott Wright, James M. Wohl, O. B. Larson. 
Twelfth Legislature.— 

Convened at Yankton Jan. 9, 1877, and continued until Feb. 
17, 1877. It passed 13 general laws, including 2 chapters of criminal 
code, 10 joint resolutions and memorials to Congress and 33 private 
laws. It had the following membership. 

COUNCIL. 
W. A. Burleigh, President. 
Henry S. Black, M. W. Bailey, Wm. Duncan, Hans Gunderson, 
Judson La Moure, Nelson Miner, A. J.Mills, Robert Wilson, R. F. 
Pettigrew, J. A. Potter, C. B. Valentine, J. A. Wallace. 

HOUSE. 

D. C. Hagle, Speaker. 
J. M. Adams, A. L.- Boe, H. A. Burke, * J. Q. C. Burbank, W. 
H. H. Beadle, T. S. Clarkson, G. S. S. Codington, W. F. Dunham, 
A. G. Hopkins, M. O. Hexon, E. Hackett, D. M.Inman, Erick 
Iveson, Chas. Maywold, F. M. Ziebach, Hans Myron, John Shellberg, 
John FaJde, D. Stewart, Asa Sargent, John Tucker, Franklin Taylor, 
John Thompson, C. H. VanTassel, S. Soderstrom. 

*A warded the seat of D. M. Kelleher on the twenty-ninth day 
of the session. 
Thirteenth Legislature — 

Met at Yankton and continued in session from Jan. 14, to Feb. 
22, 1879. It passed 59 general laws, including 26 amendments and 1 
repeal, and 51 special and local laws. The following was the 
membership: 

COUNCIL. 
George H, Walsh, President. 
Wm. M. Cuppett, M. H. Day, Ira Ellis, Newton Edmunds, W. 
L. Kuykendall, Nelson Miner, Robt. Macnider, R. F. Pettigrew, S. 
G. Roberts, Silas Rohr, C. B. Valentine, H. B. Wynn. 

HOUSE. 
John R. Jackson, Speaker. 
Alfred Brown, J. Q. Burbank. P. N. Cross, D. W. Flick, A. B. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 91 

Fockler, John R. Gamble, Ansley Gray, Hans Gunderson, Peter J. 
Hoyer, Ola A. Ilelvig, O. I. Ilosboe, A. Iloyt, S. A. Johnson, John 
Langness, A. Mauksch, Natlianiel C, Wliittieid, J. M Peterson, 
Michael Shely, A. Simonson, James II. Stevens, D. Stewart, E. C 
Walton, J. F. Webber, Canute Weeks, Martin M. Trygstadt, 
Fourteenth Legislature — 

Met at Yankton and continued in session from Jan. 11 to March 
7, 1S8I, passing 142 general laws, including 276 amendments and 2 
repeals, and 76 special and private laws. The membership was as 
follows: 

COUNCIL. 
George 11. Walsh, President. 
M. H, Day, Ira W. Fisher, JohnR. Gamble, John L. Jolley, J. 
A. J. Martin, J. O'B Scoby, Amos F. Shaw, J. F. Wallace, John 
Walsh, G. W. Wiggin, John R. Wilson. 

HOUSE. 

J. A. Harding, Speaker. 

James P>aynes, F. J. Cross, G. H. Dicky, L. B. French, C. B. 

Kennedy, P. Landmann, J. H. Miller, Knud Nomland, V. P. Theil- 

man, A. Thorne, P. Warner, S. A. Boyles, W. H. Donaldson, E. 

EUefson, John D. Hale, D. M. Inman, Judson LaMoure, S. McBrafc- 

ney, I. More, S. Rohr, D. Thompson, A. L. VanOsde), E. P. Wells. 

Fifteenth Legislature — ■ 

Convened at Yankton, Jan. 9, and continued to March 9, 1883, 
passing 116 general laws, including 33 amendments and 1 repeal, 44 
special and local laws. This was the last session at Yankton. The 
following was the membership: 

COUNCIL. 

J. O'B. Scoby, President. 

F. N. Burdict, J. R. Jackson, F. M. Ziebach S. G. Roberts, F. 
J. Wasliabaugh, H. J. Jerauld, Wm. P. Dewey, E. II. Mcintosh, 
Geo. H. Walsh, J. Nickeus, E. McCauly. 

HOUSE. 
E. A. Williams, Speaker. 

Ira Ellis, M. C. Tychsen, John Thompson, W. B. Robinson, R. 
C. McAllister, F. P. Phillips, Geo. W. Sterling, W. S. Rinehart, E. 
M. Bowman, C. P. Harvey, D. M. Inman, H. VanWoert, J. B. 
Wynn, B. R. Wagner, John C. Pyatb, George Rice, Wm. H. Lamb, 
J. W. Nowlin, A. A. Choteau, O. M. Towner, B. W. Benson, L. J. 
Allred, N. E. Nelson. 
Sixteenth Legislature — 

Met at Bismarck, January 13, and continued to March 13, 1885. 



92 A HISTORY OF 

There were 151 general laws, including 59 amendments and 6 repeals 
and 50 special and local laws. The membership was as follows: 

COUNCIL. 
J. H. Westover, President. 
A. C. Hueston, "Wm. Duncan, John R. Gamble, A. Sheridan 
Jones, B. R. Wagner, A. M. Bowdle, R, F. Pettigrew, Geo. R. 
Farmer, H. H. Natwick, C. H. Cameron, J. P. Day, A. B. Smedley, 
V. P. Kennedy, F. J. Washabaugh, S. P. Wells, Chas. Richardson, 
Johnson Nickeus, C. D. Austin, D. H. Twomey, Geo. H. Walsh, 
John Flittie, Judson LaMoure, P. J. McLaughlin. 

HOUSE. 
George Rice, Speaker. 
Ole Holvig, John Larson, Eli Dawson, Hans Myron, A. L. 
VanOsdel, Hugh Langan, J. P. Ward, J. H. Swanton, A. J. Parshall, 
Mark Ward, C. S. Huston, H. M. Clark, P. L. Runkel, J. M. Bayard, 
H. W. Smith, W. H. Riddel 1, John Hobait, J. C. Southwick, V. 
V. Barnes, J. A. Pickler, J. T. Blakemore, G. W. Pierce, M. L. 
Miller, G. H. Johnson, M. T. DeWoody, E. Huntington, F. A. 
Eldridge, A. S. Sprague, E, W. Martin, H. M. Gregg, A. McCall, 

E. A. Williams, W. F. Steele, Henry W. Coe, J. Stevens, S. E. 
Stebbins, P. J. McCumber, H. S. Oliver, T. M. Pugh, E. T. Hutcli- 
inson, W. N. Roach, C. W. Morgan, J. W. Scott, D. Stewart, H. 
Stong, H. H. Ruger, P. McHugh. 

Seventeenth Legislature- 
Met at Bismarck Jan. 11, 1887, and continued until March 11, 
1887. There were 170 general laws enacted including 47 amendments 
and 2 repeals and 37 special and local laws. The membership was 
as follows: 

COUNCIL. 

Geo. A. Mathews, President. 

Roger Allin, Wm. T. Collins, John Cain, W. E. Dodge, E. W. 
Foster, Melvin Grigsby, Alexander Hughes, T. M. Martin, P. J. 
McCumber, C. li. Sheldon, E, G. Smith, J. S. Weiser, T. C. Bogart, 
A. W. Campbell, P. C. Donovan, E. C. Erickson, H. Galloway, G. 
A. Harstad, J. D. Lawler, C. D. Mead, E. T. Sheldon, S. P. Wells, 

F. J. Washabaugh. 

HOUSE. 

George G. Crose, Speaker. 

Fied H. Adams, John Bidlake, J. W. Burnham, D. S. Dodds, 
Thos. M. Elliott, D. W. Ensign, J. H. Fletcher, F. Green, A. A. 
Harkins, C. B. Hubbard, J. G. Jones, James M. Moore, T. F. Mentzer, 
C. I. Miltimore, John D. Patton, D. F. Royer, J. Schnaidt, F. M. 
Shook. D. Stewart, E. W. Terrill, J. V. White, Wilson Wise, L. 



SOUTH DAKOTA 93 

O. Wyman, Frank R. Aikens, W. N. Berry, A. M. Cooke, M. 11. 
Cooper, John R. Dutch, John A. Ely, Wm. JI. Fellows, Win. Glen- 
denning, .1. T. Gilbert, W.. J. Hawk, John Hobart, R. McDonell, 
F. A. Morris, H. J. Mallory,J. E. Patten, A. J. Pruebt, \V. R. 
Ruggles, D, W. Sprague, A. IT. Stewart, B. II. Sullivan, Chas. B. 
Williams, .Tames P. Ward, E. A. Williams, John Woltzmuth. 
Eighteenth Legislature — 

Convened at Hismarck, Jan. S, and adjourned March 9, LS89, 
having enacted 120 general laws, including 34 amendments and 2 
repeals, and 19 joint resolutions, and memorials. This was the last 
territorial assembly. The membership was as follows: 

COUNCIL. 
Smith Stimmel, President. 
Roger Allin, Irenus Atkinson, Peter Cameron, A. W. Camp- 
bell, M. IT. Cooper, Coe I. Crawford, Robert Dollard, E. C. Erickson, 
S. L. Glaspell, James Ilalley, G. A. Ilarstad, Alex Hughes, Robeib 
Lowery, Hugh McDonald, John Miller, J. H.Patten, David W. 
Poindexter, Joseph C. Ryan, C. A. Soderburg, Geo. IT. Walsh, F. J. 
Washabaugh, James A. Woolheiser, A. L. YanOsdel. 

HOUSE. 
Hosmer IT. Tveith, Speaker. 
F. II. Adams, Frank R. Akins, Joseph Allen, C. IT. Baldwin, 
E. L. Bennett, E. IT. Bergman, B. F. Bixler, J. W. Burham, A. D. 
Clark, J. B. Cooke, T. A. Douglas, Thomas Elliot, J. II. Fletcher, 
J. M. Green, A. J. Grenna, S. P. Howell, Harry F. Hunter, J (;. 
Jones, I. S. Lampman, W. S. Logan, Frank Lillibridge, H. J. 
Mallory, Petet McHugh, Edwin ISIcNeil, C. J. Miller, F. A. Monis, 

C. C Newman, P. P. Palmer, A. L. Patiidge, IT. S. Parkin, John 

D. Patten, O. C. Potter, D. M. Powell, M. M. Price, Wm. Ramsdell, 
D. F. Royer, G. W. Ryan, IT. IT. Sheets, J. C. Smith, W. E. 
Swanston, C. J. Trude, John Trurable, N. Upham, O. R. VanEttan, 
J. B. Welcome, D. R. AVellman, J. V. White. 



APPENDIX D. 

PERSONNEL OF THE STATEHOOD MOVEMENT. 

The following is tlie niemberslup of the great division and 
statehood convention held at Iluion, June 19, 1883. The action of 
whicii resulted in the tiist constitutional convention. 

Aurora— S. L. Baker, L. S. Cull, E. E.Robey, J. C. Ryan, E. 
H. Mcintosh. 

Beadle — Karl Gernei, S. A. Armstrong, John Blair, Fred Grant, 
John Cain, A. h. Melville, L. S. Hazen, S. C. Nash, E. A. Morse, 
J. W. Shannon. 

Brown— N. T. Hauser, M. J. Gordon, S. H. Jumper, John H. 
Dralie, W. B. McChesney, E. A. Bowers, A. O. Titus, W. Winters. 

Brookings — H. II. Natwick, C. A. Kelsey, Geo. A. Mathesw, 
C. H. Stearns, L. P. McClarren, Page Downing, S. G. Mayland, II. 
P. Finnegan, D. J. Darrow, S. W. Lockwood, Chas. Davis, E. E. 
Gaylord, C.W.Williams, J. O'B.Scoby, Frank Adams, Ole Knutdson. 

Buffalo— E. A. Herman. 

Brule— A. G. Kellam, John H. King, F. M. Goodykoontz, D. 
Warner, L. W. Lewis, Chas. Cotton, S. W. Duncan, E. J. Wells. 

Bon Homrae—M. H. Day, F. M. Ziebach, Robert Dollard, C. 
T. McCoy, John L. Truner, .loseph Zitka, F. A. Morgan, T. O. 
Bogart, C. T. Campbell, Peter Byrne, Frank Trumbo, John C. 
Memraner, J. C.Klemme, John Todd, J. II. Stevens, C. S. Rowe, 
Robt. Kirk, O. Richmond. 

Campbell— S. S. Bassett. 

Cla-k— S. H. Elrod, S. J. Conklin, E. F. Conklin, Don R. 
Frazier. 

Clay— E. B. Dawson, C. G. Shaw, J. Kimball, A. L. Newton, 
J. E. Wiiite, II. Newton, John K, Whiteside, C. E. Prentis, Ben 
Collar, Jared Runyon, A. II. Lathrop, G. S. Agersberg. 

Codington— li. R. Pease, L. D. Lyon, D. C. Thomas, E. M. 
Dennis, E. Wheelock, T. A. Kingsbury, A. D. Chase, Oscar Kemp, 
O. E. Dewey, Wm. M. Pierce, Geo. A. Edes, C. C. Wiley, L. D. F. 
Poore, W. O. Frazer, W. H. Donaldson. 

Davison— II .C. Green, S. D. Cook, S. F. Goodykoontz, J. D. 
Fegan, S. W Rathburn, R. F. Allerton, Jolm Pease, E. S. Jolmston, 
George S Bidwell, James Foster, Douglas Lefflngwell, W. H. 
Blackman. 

Day — E. R. Ruggles, M. Moulton, O. A. James, B. F. Stringham. 

Douglas— W. E. Tipton, Geo. H. Woolman, J. J. Devy, F. E. 
Lawrence. 

Faulk— J. H. DeVoe, J. A. Pickler, L. Vanliorn. 

Graiit-A. B. Smedley, A. Wardall, J. W. Bell, A, J. Blesser, 



SOUTH DAKOTA 95 

P. E. Skaken. A. H. Lewis, W. M. Evans, S. S. Lockhart, O. J. 
Scheie, J. H. VVliitcomb, John liuzzell, A. II. Islash, J. K. Eastman, 
J. A. Drake, A. C. Dodge, J. C. Knapp. 

Hand— W. H. Kepliart, li. F. Payne, R. T. Smitli, E. S. 
Vorheis. C. E. Coit, G. O. Iliitson, G. AV. Livingston, C. A^ 

Hanson — W. S. Arnold, L. P. Chapman, Wlieelock. S. L. Page. 
A. J. Parsliall, F. 1!. Foster. 

Hughes -H. L, Campbell, C. D. Mead, AV. S. AVells, JL R. 
Horner, V. E. Prentis, C. W. Ricliardson, Wm. Strough, H. E. 
Dewey. 

Hutchinson — A. Slieridan Jones, L. L. Eisen, Henry Hiel, 
David I'.allou. Karl Winter, S. M. Daboll, Jolin Shamber. 

Hyde— M. G. Sinon, E. O. Parker, L. E. VVhitcher. 

Kingsbury —Pliilip Lawrence. Tliomas H. Ruth, Thos. Reed, J. 
A Risedorph, A. 1. Keith, M. A. lirowri, A. Whiting, J. A. Owen, 

D. C. Kline, L. F. Dow, J. C. Gipson, J. J. Sweet. 

Lawrence — G. C. Moody, l^. G. Caulfleld, S. P. Romans, Porter 
C. Warner, W. L. Hamilton, S. B. Smith, A. J. Knight, G. G. 
IJennett, W. H. Parker, W. R. Steel, Dighton Corson, A. J. Hard- 
ing, Jolin R. Wilson, C. F. Tracy, W. H. Ryley, M. H. Gregg, T. 

E. Harvey, H. O. Anderson, D. K. Dickinson, W. J. Larimer, Dolph 
Edwards. J. O. Gunsully, Geo. F. Robinson, J. W. Garland, John 
H. Davey, Thomas Hartland, John C. Ryan, Joseph Ramsdell. 

Lincoln — L. Hindsley, A. lioynton, J. W. Taylor, E. P. Peter- 
son, B. C. Jacobs, A. B. Wlieelock, W. K. State, Lars Helme, Robb. 
Pierce, Elling Opsal, Thomas Wrigiit, O. D. Hinkley, Wm. Brad- 
shaw, A. P. Dixon, Geo. Conklin, Wm. M. Cuppett. 

McCook— J. E. Rutan, J. T. McKee,J. M. J^ayard, E. Thomas, 

E. H. Wilson, John F. Norton, D. S. Pond, H. G. Miller. 

Miner — S. H. Bronson, Mark Harris, G. A. Martin, J. P, Ryan, 
M. A. Moore, H. W. Eddy, F. lirittan, W. G. James. 

Minnehalia— R. F. Pettigrew, E. W. Caldwell, C. W. Hubbard, 
J. Scheatzel, Jr., Melvin Grigsby, J. R. Jackson, John Langness, 
W. W. Brookings, C. H. Winsor, T. H. Brown, D. R. Bailey, B. F. 
Campbell, G. A. Uline, S. Wilkinson, D. S. Glidden, C. F. McKinney, 
A. C. Phillips, T. S. Free, W. A. Wilkes. 

Moody — H. M. Williamson, A. G. Barnard, Wm. Ramsdell, 
T. E. Carter, Roger Brennen, L. W. Sherman, F. E. Whalem, N. 
Vance, C. D. Pratt, Jolin Hobart, A. P. Allen, Phil Clark. 

Potter— O. L. Mann. 

Sanborn— C. H. VanTassel, PL E. Mayhew, N. B. Reed, Wm. 
McFarland, Geo. Lawrence, W. F. Kenfield, F. W. Thaxter, O. H. 
Jones. 

Spink— E. C. Marriner, C. H. Seely, C. N. Keith, M. Moriarty, 

F. W. Rogers, J. H. Allen, J. J. Gushing, D. H. Reedan, B. B. 
Hassell, E. W. Foster, J. M. Miles, C. D. Fryberg, C. T. Howard, 
E. B. Korns. 

SuHy — J. A. Meloon, J. M. Moore, B. P. Hooven. 



96 . A HISTORY OF 

Turner — ^L. Newell, J. B. Currens, J. A. Hand, J. P. Coffman, 
A. T. Cathcart, G. W. Perry, Rev. Mr. Harmaling, Eev. Mr. 
Wariishuis, Jackson Davis, C. L. Douglas, Joel Fry, N. Tychsen, 
J. B. Beebe, T. H. Judson, F. S. Andrews, Mr. Parr. 

Union— J. V, Hines, C. F. Mallahan, Halvor Knudson, C. H. 
Walworth, Geo. B. Freeman, J. C. Cittel, Geo. Ells, Jesse Akin, 
N. A. Kirk, Henry Kiplinger, Joseph Yerter, M. W. Slieaf, Adam 
Scott, Howard Mosier, J. G. Merrill, Thomas Roman. 

Yankton— Bartlett Tripp, Joseph Ward, Geo. Brown, C. J. B. 
Harris, G. W. Kingsbury, John R. Gamble, Wilmot Whitfield, 
Newton Edmunds, J. R. Hanson, Fred Schnauber, Maris Taylor, 
E. Miner, Geo. H. Hand, I. E. West, S. A. Boyles, S.H. Gruber. 



APPENDIX E. 

FIRST CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

The following is tlie list of delegates who formulated the first 
state constitution at Sioux Falls, September 1883: 

Aurora — S. L. Hakei, T. C. Kennel ]y, Frank P. Baum. 

Beadle — A. B. Mellville, C. J. Shefler, Chas. Reed, Geo. F. 
Lane. 

Bon Ilomrae— Chas. T. McCoy, John L. Turner, Robert Dollard, 
F. M, Ziebach. 

Brookings— G. S. Clevenger, B. J. Kelsey, A. S. Mitchell, T. 
R. Qualey. 

Brown — M. J. Gordon, W. C. Houghton. 

Brule — Alphonso G. Kellam, S. W. Duncan, G. F. Schwindt. 

Buffalo — E. A. Herman. 

Charles Mix — A. B. Lucas. 

Clark -S. H. Elrod, C. G. Sherwood. 

Clay— J. P. Kidder, J. R. Wliiteside, J. Kimball, E. B. Dawson. 

Codington— A. C. Mellette, Wm. Pierce, E. D. Wheelock, 
R. B. Spicer. 

Davison — A. W. Hager, A. J. TVaterhouse, John C. Tatman, 
John M. Pease. 

Day — P. A. Gatchell, H. B. Managhan. . 

Douglas— J. F. Callahan. 

Edmunds— H. A. Day. 

Faulk— P. E Knox. 

Grant— J. C. Elliot, N. I. Lothian, W. T. Burman, B. P. 
Murphy. 

Hamlin — John Hayes, J. P. Cheever. 

Hand — B. R. Howell, Chas. E. Cort, Henry Miller, W. N. 
Brayton. 

Hanson— Frank B. Foster, L. P. Chapman, H. W. Peek. 

Hughes — W. A. Lichtenwallner. 

Hutchinson— A. Sheridan Jones, Karl Winter, S. M. DaboU, 
Mathias Schlimgen, 

Hyde— Eli Johnson. 

Jerauld— C. W. McDonald. 

Kingsbuiy— Phillip Lawrence, John B. Smith, Knute Lewis, 
Chus. B. McDona. 

L^ke— M. W. Daley, R. A. Murray, R. Wentwoith. 

Lawrence— Gideon C. Moody, B. G. Caulfield, Porter Warner, 
Dolph Edwards. 

Lincoln— Ocsar S. GifTord, Abraham Boynton, A. B. Wheelock, 
J, W. Taylor, J. V. Conklin, M. E. Rudolph, A. Sherman. 



5S A HIS TORI OF 

McCook— J. E. Rutan, W. S. Brooks. 

Miner— S. H. Bronson, M. W. White, Geo. R. Farmer. 

Minnehaha — Richard F. Pettigrew, Melvin Grigsby, John 
Bippus, B. F. Campbell, W. W. Brookings, W. C. Lowering, Albion 
Thorne, G. D. Bannister. 

Moody— H. M. Williamson, C. S. Wellman, A. P. Allen, J. E. 
Whalen, 

Pennington— R. C. Lake, C. L. Wood. 

Sanborn — Alonzo Converse. 

Spink— E. W. Foster, Thomas Sterling, D. N. Hunt, Charles 
N. Keith. 

Sully and Potter— Edmund W. Eakin. 

Turner— Joseph Allen, Christian Epple, Orange Still, A, 
Bertelson. 

Union — Charles F. Mallahan, Ole Gunderson, Jesse Akin. 

Yankton — John R. Gamble, Hugh J. Campbell, George H. 
Hand, Joseph Ward, Bartlett Tripp, Calvin J. B. Harris, Calvin E. 
Brooks. 



APPENDIX F. 

SECOND CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

The following is the membership of the second constitutional 
convention which convened at Sioux Falls, Sept. 8, 1885: 

Aurora — Hiram F. Fellows, Matt A. Ryan. 

Beadle— J. 11. More, James K. P. McCallam, Frank F. B. Coffin, 
S. C. Weatherwax, J. M. Baker. 

Bon Homme — Robert Dollard, George W. Snow, Daniel Wilcox. 

Brookings— Miles R. White, Warren M. Wright, M. C. Walton. 

Brown — J. D. Mason, C. J. McLeod, George R. Laybourne, 
T. J. Dow. 

Brule — Alphonso G. Kellara, C. J. Maynard, C. M. Gregory. 

Buffalo— Robert J. Brown. 

Butte— M. J. Grant. 

Campbell — Frank Alexander. 

Charles Mix— Thomas Elfes. 

Clark— John E Bennett, R. A. Proudflt. 

Clay— John II. Cleland, J. M. Schultz. 

Codington— Stephen G. Updyke, Isaac M. Westfall. 

Custer— Stephen M. Booth. 

Deuel — Charles S. Lowe. 

Edmunds — S. H. Cranmer. 

Faulk — E. M. Jessup. 

Grant— Heniy Niell, N. I. Lothian. 

Hamlin— Cyrus E. Andrus. 

Hand— M. E. Williams, H. M. Smith, L. W. Lansing. 

Hanson — W. Harvey Murphy, Isaac Gray, Sr. 

Hughes — James A. Ward, Samuel Miller, William A. Lichten- 
wallner. 

Hutchinson — David Belton, William Harding, Christian 
Beuchler. 

Hyde— George C. Cross. 

Jerauld— S. F. Huntley, Albert Gunderson. 

Kingsbury — John A. Owen, Henry H. Sheets. 

Lake— George L. Wright, William McGiath. 

Lawrence — Gideon C. Moody, Dighton Corson, KirkG. Phillips, 
Frank Ayers, W. 11. Parker, John Johnson, Leo H. Weeden, Alpehus 
E. Frank. 

Lincoln — Jeremiah Geehon, J. W. Taylor. 

McPherson— Frank Gault, Sr, 

McCook— Thos. F. Conniff, W. H. Goddard. 

Miner — John H. Patten, Stephen A. Jones. 

Minnehaha — Wilmot W. Brookings, E. P. Beebe, Andrew J. 
Berdahl, O. S. Gifford, J. B. Goddard, E. T. Oaks. 

tofa 



100 A HISTORY OF 

Pennington— James W. Fowler, W. H. Mitchell. 

Potter— Willis C. Stone. 

Eoberts — Wm. G. Asliton. 

Sanborn — Theodore D. Kanouse, Kobert Dctt. 

Spink— Joseph B. Churchill, Frank I. Fisher, Charles H. 
Meyers,G. C. Brittian, George Boyer, Frank H. Craig. 

Sully— C. M. Reed, H. F. Pendleton. 

Turner— A. Haines, Jospeh Allen, N. C. Tychsen, Eobert G. 
Tousley. 

Union— Henry H. Blair, J. P. Kendall, John Dall. 

Walworth — B. B. Potter. 

Yankton — Alonzo J. Edgerton, Joseph Ward, Joseph R. Han- 
son, Hugh J. Campbell. 



APPENDIX G. 

THIRD CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. 

The following is the list of members of the third and last con- 
stitutional convention which convened in Sioux Falls, July 4, 1889: 

R.C. Andeison, Gann Valley ; J. Kimball, Elkpoint; I. Atkinson, 
"White; Alphonso G. Kellam, Chamberlain; Andrew J. Berdahl, 
Dell Rapids; T. W. P. Lee, Ashton; Christian Beuchler, Olivet; 
R. F. Lyons, Madison; S. F. Brott, Groton; W. Ilarvey Murphy, 
Alexandria; L. T- Boucher, Leola; V. T. McGillicuddy, Rapid City; 
Clark G. Coats, Sioux Falls; William McCusick, Wilmot; Ernest 
W. Caldwell, Sioux Falls; VV. U. Matson, Iroquois; Dighton Corson, 
Deadwood; A. B. McFarland, Lennox; II. S. Craig, Mound City; 
Henry Neill, Milbank; Peter Couchman, Bangor; William S. 
O'Brien, Lead; George C. Cooper, Huron; Sanford Parker, Oelrichs; 
Edgar E. Clougii, Watertown; Cliarles H. Price, Ilighmore; William 
€ook, Britton; Samuel S. Peck, Estelline; George II. Culver, 
Vermilion; Amund O. Ringsrud, Elkpoint; T. F. Diefendorf, Mont- 
rose; Samuel A, Ramsey, Wconsocket; T. H. Davis, Ipswich; John 
Scollard, Sturgis; J. Downing, Brookings; M. R. Stroupe, Aberdeen; 
J. G. Davies, Bowdle; William Stoddard, Groton; W. G. Dickinson, 
Webster; Thomas Sterling; Redfield; William Elliot, Hurlej, C. G. 
Sherwood, Claik; A. J. Edgerton, Mitchell; I. R. Spooner, Lake 
Preston; E G. Edgerton, Yankton; R. II. Smith, Burnside; II. W. 
Eddy, Canova; C. M. Thomas, Deadwood; J. A. Fowies, Canton; 
T. M. Thompson, Whitewood; H. T. Fellows, Plankinton; William 
VanEpps, Sioux Falls; C. S. Gilford, Dell Rapids; C. H. VanTassel, 
Artesian; W. H. Goddaid, Montrose; Stephen B, VanBuskirk, Water- 
town; Calvin J. B. Harris, Yankton; Henry M. Williamson, Flan- 
dreau; C. A. Houlton, Delmont; William T. Williams, Tyndall; 
M. R. Henninger, Westport; Chauncy L. Wood, Rapid City; H. A. 
Humphrey, Faulkton; S. A. Wlieeler, Butte; David Hall, Onida; 
C. R. Wescottf, Gary; S. F. Huntley, Wessington Springs; J. V. 
Willis, Plankinton; C. G. Hartley, Miller; J. F. AYood, Redfield; 
L. H. Hole, Huron; J. F. Whitlock, Gettysburg; John L. Jolley, 
Vermilion; F. G. Young, Madison; S. D. Jeffries, Clark; Joseph 
Zitka, Tyndall. 



APPENDIX H. 

SOUTH DAKOTA'S WAR HISTORY. 

South Dakota has participated in four military events, to-wit, 
"The Ree Conquest," 1823. "The Indian War, " 1862-3. "The 
Messiah War," 1890. "The Spanish War," 1898-9. Mention of 
each has been made in the regular chronological order in the body 
of the work, but it has been thought wise to give a more detailed 
statement here than could be properly given in the text, adapted to 
school use. 

THE ARICKARA CONQUEST. 

Gen. W. H. Ashley, who was a native of Powhatan County, 
"Virginia the first lieutenant-governor of Missouri, together with 
other gentlemen, about the year 1821 organized the Rocky Mountain 
Fur Company. He was engaged in fur trading and Missouri politics 
up to the time of his death, sometime in the year 1838. His first 
expeditions in the years 1822-3, were in Cordell flat boats, from St. 
Louis to Ft. Atkinson, and from there to the Yellowstone country, 
supplying his "forts" and post traders. With him generally went 
from 80 to 150 attendants, frontiersmen, French traders and servants. 

During his expedition in 1822, he took occasion to flog an 
Arickara horse thief, thinking by that means that he could better 
intimidate the predatory thieving tribe and put an end to this 
method of interfering with the rapidity of his trading operations. 
The indignity was soundly borne in mind by the whole tribe, and 
by neighboring tribes until the return of the trading expedition in 
the spring of 1823, and was the prime cause of the trouble that 
ensued that year. 

When Gen. Ashley reached the vicinity of the Arickara villages, 
which were located at the mouth of Grand river on the west side of 
the Missouri, on his return, there were some 600 warriors near them 
and about 400 of them were armed with British fusees. They had, 
however, an indifferent supply of powder and ball. When Gen. 
Ashley came in sight, the Indians made signs of barter and one or 
two of his boats landed, wliile the remainder were at anchor in the 
stream. The Indians made representation that they wished to go 
on a big liunt and desired to trade for powder and ball. Gen. 
Ashley had all of his force with him except forty voyaguers, who 
through fear remained with the boats at anchor. The Indians 
feigned good nature until they had secured the ammunition desired. 
One by one his trappers were missed until the General became 
alarmed for their safety, at which the Indians became <3emonstra- 
tive. In a very few minutes every cottonwood tree in the vicinity 
of the boats was covered with British fusees in the hands of aa 



SOITH DAKOTA 103 

Indian marksman. The firing became general and the traders lost 
thirteen of their number killed and nearly every man engaged was 
vvounded. The men were panic stricken and the boats dropped 
down the river to an island and fortified themselves, awaiting a 
second attack. The Indians repaired to their nearest village and 
fortified. 

Gen. Ashley at once applied to the commander at Ft. Atkinson 
for assistance. The expediton was soon on foot from Ft. Atkinson, 
near Council Bluffs, into the Arickara country to aid the volunteers 
and trappers. Ft. Atkinson then liad only the sixth regiment and 
detachments of artillery, all under the immediate command of Col. 
Henry Leavenworth. The fort proper was commanded by Major A. 
K. Woolley. The outbreak occurred June 4th, 1823, and by July 3d, 
Col. Leavenworth and part of the sixth regiment left J't. Atkinson 
for the seat of war, seven liundred miles distant. Artillery and 
provisions were to follow by cordelles and mackinaws in a few days. 
The lower Sioux Indians under their chief. White Bear, soon joined 
them to the number of 700 warriors. The company of Capt. Ben 
Eiley, under his command, proceeded with the boats to guard the 
stores. Tliey retained the rifles of the old organization and were 
destined to take an important part in the conflict. Gen. Atkinson 
was at that time in general command witli headquarters at St. Louis, 
and Col. Leavenworth forwarded all dispatches to him, also asking 
for reinforcements. By July 10th troops were on the move from 
Baton Rouge and other points on the Mississippi to support Col. 
Leavenworth. The expedition followed closely along the east side 
of the Missouri for the entire distance. He had 220 regulars, 80 
volunteers and 700 Indian allies. His artillery consisted of two 
6-pound cannon, a b]2 inch Howitzer and some small swivels. 

On the 8th of August 1823, the army of Col. Leavenworth, re- 
enfoiced by Capt. Riley and his ordinance and stores, arrived in 
sight of the Arickara village fully prepared for tlie struggle. White 
Bear and his Indians took tlie advance, surrounding the villages as 
skirmishers. The chief, Gray Eyes, commanded the Arickaras. 
The story books tell us that these two great chiefs, in full view of 
the army, met in mortal combat, but the account of Col. Leaven- 
worth is the only truthful statement of the mortality. He stated 
that Gray Eyes was killed in the first fire. 

Capt. Riley with a company of riflemen and Lieutenant Bradley 
with a company of infantry, took possession of the hill above the 
village. Lieutenant Morris, with a six pounder and one five and a 
half inch howitzer, opened fire on tlie lov\er town. Lieutenant 
Perkins with anothei six pounder, reported to Capt. Vandenburg at 
the upper town and these pieces created consternation among tlie 
savages tliere. The richochet of the round shot and the explosion 
of an occasional bomb greatly excited the Arickaras, who liad never 
heard or seen the sight before. It was reported that one of these 
round shots killed Gray Eyes but that is now only conjecture. The 



104 A HISTORY OF 

troops advanced to 100 steps of the Indian defences and stood without 
danger, so great was the Indian consternation and terror from the 
big guns. This continued during the 10th and 11th while an occas- 
ional shot would cut tlirough a wigwam and bound through the 
village. 

On the 11th, leave was given the Sioux to enter the Arickara 
cornfields, and by the 12th they began to skulk and hide, and in a 
few hours tiiey openly abandoned the service, for some unaccountable 
reason. At 8 o'clock A. M., on the 12th Major Atkinson's company 
and Gen. Ashley's volunteers obtained permission to enter the 
cornfield to satisfy their hunger, the latter having had nothing to 
eat for two days. 

The Aiickaras, having lost about forty men killed, and their chief 
among the number, his successor. Little Thunder, quietly left the 
camp with his followers and was out of reach by davbreak of the 13th. 

Col. Leavenworth was blamed for permitting this evasion of 
punishment, but history has fully vindicated him, as it was the end 
of hostilities, in this vicinity from that year until sometime after 
the year 1861. 

On the 15th of August, the army of Col. Leavenworth embarked 
in its mackinaws and returned to Ft. Atkinson. 

It is noteworthy that in this war, a volunteer company of South 
Dakotans, trappers along the Missouri river, was organized and 
tendered their services to Col. Leavenworth and rendered valiant 
service. Of these volunteers the names or sobriquets of only a half 
dozen have been preserved. These were, "Old Bill Williams," 
"William Subeette," "Pegleg" Smith, Bill Gordon, two men named 
Fitzpatrick, and William Rose, the latter the outlaw who accom- 
panied the Astoria expedition. 

THE INDIAN WAR, 1862—65. 

The following is a complete roster of the officers and men who 
served in the First Dakota Cavaliy,. in the Indian War from 1862 to 
1865. It was the original intention of the war department to place 
the Dakota cavalry under the command of Maj. W. P. Lyman, of 
Yankton, v^ho tlirough an error of tlie department was mustered 
into service before the organization of his regiment and tlien relieved 
from service, involving an official tangle which was never unraveled. 
In consequence the command of the battalion, throughout the war, 
devolved on Capt. Nelson Miner of Company A. 

FIRST DAKOTA CAVALRY— OFFICERS. 

Nelson Miner, Captain; J. K. Fowler, 1st Lieutenant, resigned; 
Frederick Plughoff, 2d Lieutenant, resigned; James M. Bacon, 1st 
Lieutenant; DeWitt C. Smith, 2d Lieutenant, resigned; David 
Benjamin, 2d Lieutenant; A. M. English, 1st Sergeant; Patrick 
Conv\ay, 2d Sergeant; Kerwin Wilson, Commissary Sergeant; Peter 
F. Holden, Sergeant: William Newman, Sergeant; Benjamin F. 



SOUTH DAKOTA lOS 

Estis, Sergeant; Jesse B. Watson, Sergeant; Horace J. Austin, 
Sergeant; Charles 15. Stager, Sergeant; Joseph Ellis, Corporal; 
■William Young, Corporal; George Falkenhurg, Corporal; Christian 
H. Brurud, Corporal; Amos Sliavv, Corporal; Adolph Mauksch, 
Corporal; Charles Wright, Corporal; Amund Hanson, Bugler; Edwin 
Wilkiris, Bugler; Ananias Joires, Farrier: Robert Burckhart, Black- 
smith. 

PRIVATES. 

Kichard Alderson, Edward Anderson, John E. Allen, Jolin Betz, 
Henry Bellows, Benjamin liellows, David Campbell, John Claude, 
Nelson W. Cuseck, John Bell, Neils Ellingson, Nicholas Fellirrg, 
Herman P. Fjeltvet, Louis Frick, Josiah Gray, Zachariah Haggin, 
George Hosick, James Kinney, Ole B. Larson, Cornelius Andrews, 
Michael Anderson, W^illiam Benedict, John Bell, George Bellows, 
John Bradley, Joseplr Cramer, John Collins, James Cummings, Sahil 
Deloney, Julius Floeder, John O. Ford, Thomas Frick, Benjamin 
F. Gray, John Gibson, Benjarrrin Hart, John Johnson, Ole Lewesson, 
Charles Long, Merrit G. Lathrop, John Maskell, John McClellan, 
John D. Morse, James McBee, Ole Oleson, Peter Omeg, James E. 
Peters, Henry M. Pierce, Timothy Prindle, Peter A. Ramsey, Philip 
Sherman, John B. Snow, William Snyder, Abraham J. Trucks, John 
Trumbo, Thomas H. Weeks, Henry Woodruff, Jacob Ludwig, Thomas 
A. McLesse, Mathias J. Minde, Albert Munson, Andrew Oleson, 
Chiistian Oleson, Ole N. Orland, Loeman E. Phelps, George Pike, 
Oscar Phelps, Fred Eobeart, John Solburger, Henry Snow, Thomas 
J. Tate, John Tallman, Charles Wambole, Joachine Will, Bucklin 
H. Wood. 

COMPANY B— OFFICERS. 

William Tripp, Captain; John R. Wood, 1st Lieutenant; T. 
Elwood Clark, 2d Lieutenant; Elija K. Robinson, 1st Sergeant ; Norris 
J. Wallace, Q. M. Sergeant; Eli B. Wixon, Commissary Sergeant; 
Josiah K. Sanborn, Sergeant; Louis StOnge, Sergear)t; Melancthon 
U. Hoyt, Sergeant; Samuel M. Crooks, Sergeant; Nathan McDaniels, 
Sergeant; Sterling L. Parker, Corporal; Myron Sheldon, Corporal ; 
Chas. Leonard, Corporal ; Sherman Clyde, Ccrpoial ; Lawrence Dignan, 
Corporal; Ferdinand Turgeon, Corporal; Trowbridge R. Jewell, 
Corporal ; John S. Hall, Geo. W. Dimick, Corporal; Wni. 11. H. Fate, 
Corporal; Wra. McDernrott, Corporal; Josiah Whitcom, Farrier; 
John FitzGibbcn, Wagoner; Theodore Olson, Blacksmith. 

PRIVATES. 

Oliver Allen, John E. Allen, Henry Arend, Christopher Arend, 
Thomas Armstrong, Gilbert B. Bigelow, John Bradley, George 
Bellows, Benjamin Bellows, Leander Cirtier, Miles Cowan, James 
Dormidy, LcuisH.Desy, John R. Ealy, William F. Furlong, Nicholis 
Felleng, James J. Furlong, Harmon Z. Fjeltvet, Antonine Fleury, 
Louis Frick, Samuel Farnsworth, Hugh Gaughran, Lewis Gates, 



106 . A HISTORY OF 

Williatn E. Goodfellow, John Gregory, William C. Homer, Thomas 
J. Hampton, Stephen Horton, James T. Hammond, John Hough, 
Urlick Jarvis, Alexander Keelei, Daniel Keely, Mathias Laison, 
John B. Lavvie, Ole B. Larson, Octave Lavvie, Joseph Lionat, 
Cornelius McNamarow, John McDonough, Henry McCumber, Daniel 
W. McDaniels, Jacob J. McNight, Geo. D. Mathieson, Richard W. 
Mathieson, Martin D. Metcalf, William Metcalf, Robert Marmon, 
John Nieff, Anthony Nelson, Bringle Oleson, Colburn Oleson, James 
Oleson, Ferman Pattee, Abel R. Phillips, James A. Phelps, Thomas 
Reandeau, Baptise Reandeau, Fred Robert, George Rose, Miles Rimer, 
General M. Reese, John Rouse, Joseph Stiiuger, Dempster Sprague, 
William Searls, John Sorrick, John B. Snow, William W. Snider, 
William Trumbo, Alexis Travercie, Paul Travercie, Hezekiah Town- 
send, Joseph W. Vandevier, Berand Verwyk, William VanOsdal, 
Samuel VanOsdal, Lorenzo Wood, Uriah Wood, John J. Welsh, 
Henry Will, Thomas Wilson. 

THE MESSIAH WAR. 

REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL MILES. 

Sir: — I have the honor to submit the following annual leporb 
of military events. 

CAUSE OF INDIAN DISAFFECTION. 

The causes that led to the serious disturbance of the peace 
in the Northwest last autumn and winter were so remarkable that 
an explanation of them is necessary in order to comprehend the 
seriousnses of the situation. The Indians assuming the most threat- 
ening attitude of hostility were the Clieyennes and Sioux. Their 
condition may be stated as follows: For several years following 
their subjugation in 1877, 1878, and 1879 the most dangerous element 
of the Cheyennes and the Sioux weie under military control. Many 
of them were disarmed and dismounted; their war ponies were sold 
and the proceeds leturned to them in domestic stock, farming 
utensils, wagons, etc. Many of the Cheyennes, under the charge of 
military officers, were located on land in accordance with the laws 
of Congress, but after they were turned over to civil agents, and the 
vast herds of buffalo and large game had been destroyed, their supplies 
were insufficient and they were forced to kill cattle belonging to 
white people to sustain life. 

INSUFFICIENT FOOD. 
The fact that they had not received sufficient food is admitted 
by the agents and the officers of the government who have had 
opportunities of knowing. The majority of the Sioux were under 
the charge of civil agents, frequently changed and often inexperienced. 
Many of the tribes became rearmed and remounted. They claimed 
that the government had not fulfilled its treaties and had failed 



SOUTH DAKOTA lOT 

to make large eoough appropriations for their support ; that they had 
suffered for want of food, and the evidence of this is beyond question 
and sufficient to satisfy any unprejudiced, intelligent mind. Tlie 
statements of officers, inspectors, botli of the military and the 
Interior Departments, of agents, of missionaries, and civilians 
familiar with their condition, leave no loom for leasonable doubt 
that this was one of the principal causes. While statements may 
be made as to the amount of money that lias been expended by the 
government to feed the different tribes, the manner of distributing 
those appropriations will furnish one reason for the deficit. 

FAILURE OF CROPS. 

The unfortunate failure of the crops in the plains country 
duiing the years 1889 and 1890 added to the distress and suffering of 
the Indians, and it was possible for them to raise but very little from 
the ground for self support; in fact, white settlers liave been most 
unfortunate, and their losses have been serious and universal 
throughout a large section of that country. They have struggled on 
from year to year; occasionally they would raise good crops, which 
they were compelled to sell at low prices, while in the season of 
drought their labor was almost entirely lost. So serious have been 
their misfortunes that thousands have left that country within the 
last few years, passing over the mountains to the Pacific slope or 
returning to the east of the Missouri, and the Mississippi. 

The Indians, however, could not migrate fiom one part of the 
United States to another; neither could they obtain employment as 
readily as white people, either upon or beyond the Indian reservation. 
They must remain in comparative idleness and accept the results of 
the drought— an insufficient supply of food. This created a feeling 
of discontent even among the loyal and well-disposed and added to 
the feeling of hostilitj of the element opposed to every process of 
civilization. 

THE MESSIAH DELUSION. 

In this condition of affairs, the Indians, realizing the inevitable, 
and seeing their numbers gradually diminishing, their strength and 
power weakening, veiy natuially prayed to their God for some super- 
natural power to aid them in the restoration of their former inde- 
pendence, and the destruction of their enemies. It was at this stage 
of affalis, when driven to desperation, they were willing to entertain 
the pretensions or superstitions of deluded, fanatical people living 
on the western slope of the Rocky Mountians, whose emissaries 
first secretly appeared among the Indians prior to 1889. It was not^ 
however, until the autumn of that year tliat: the widespread conspir- 
acy assumed serious character. Tliey first aroused the curiosity of 
the Indians by some secret method scarcely realized by the savages 
themselves and persuaded delegations from different tribes of Indians 
to leave their reservations in November, 1889. 



108 . A HISTORY OF 

It is remarkable that by concerted action the delegations from 
the different tribes secretly left the various reservations, some start- 
ing from points a thousand miles apart from others, and some 
traveling 1,400 miles into a country entirely unknown to them, and 
in whicli they had never been before. The delegations from the 
Sioux, Cheyennes, and other tribes, secretly leaving their reservations, 
met at, and traveled through the Arapahoe and Shoshone Reservations 
in Wyoming, and thence via the Union Pacific they passed into Utah, 
and were joined by Gros Ventres, Utes, Snakes, Piegans, Bannocks, 
Pi-Utes, and others, until they came to a large conclave of whites 
and Indians, near Pyramid Lake in Nevada, where not less than 
sixteen prominent tribes of Indians were represented. These 
delegates were then told that "those present were all believers in a 
new religion," that "they were all oppressed people, " that "the 
whites and Indians were all the same," and that "the Messiah had 
returned to them." So well was this deception played by men 
masquerading and personating the Christ that they made these 
superstitious savages believe that the so-called Chiist could speak 
all languages, that tlie whites who were not of their faith were to 
be destroyed, and that all who had faith in the "new religion" 
would occupy the eartli; that the Messiah would cover the earth 
with dust and would then "renew everything as it used to be and 
make it better." He told them also that all of their dead would 
be resurrected; that they were all to come back to earth again, and 
that as the earth was t:oo small for them and us lie would do away 
with Heaven and make the earth large enough to contain all of 
them, and that they must tell all the people they meet about those 
things. He (or they who were personating one being) spoke to 
them about fighting, and said that was bad and that they must 
keep from it, that the earth was to be all good hereafter, and they 
must all be friends to one another. He said that " in the fall of 
the year (1890) the youth of all the good people would be renewed 
so that nobody would be more than 40 years old," and that "if they 
behaved themselves well after this, the youth of every one would 
be renewed in the spring." He said, "if they were all good he 
would send people among them who would cure all their wounds 
and sickness by mere touch and that they would live forever." He 
told tliem "not to quarrel, nor fight, nor strike each other, nor shoot 
one anotlier; that the whites and Indians there were to be all one 
people." He said "if any man disobeyed what he ordered, his 
tribe would be wiped from the face of the earth; that they must 
believe everything he said, and must not doubt him or say he lied;" 
tliat "if they did he would know it; that he would know their 
tlioughts and actions in no matter what part of the world they 
might be." Indian delegates who have seen the Messiah describe 
bim in different ways, some as an Indian, others as a white man. 
Tliere were, undoubtedly, several masquerading in the same lobes, 
and disguise as one person. Tliey state that the Messiah is the one 



SOUTH DAKOTA 109 

who taught them various religious ceremonies and to dance wliab 
has been termed tlie "ghost dance" oi a sacred dance, clotlied in a 
light garment like a shirt or hunter's frock, which, after being 
sanctified, was believed to be bullet proof. 

It has been learned that delegates from the different tribes 
were all present when tlie Messiah appeared or was seen by ti)em at 
different times, and these all returned to their various reservations, 
announcing to their relatives and friends what they had learned, 
fully convinced themselves, and convincing otliers that what they 
had seen and heaid was true. Tliese talks lasted sometimes lor four 
or five days, and the warriors were initiated in the mysteries of the 
new faith as taught by the so-called Messiah. The Indians received 
the words of prophecy from the Messiah with intense enthusiasm, 
thinking that after years of distress and discouragement their 
prayers liad been heard and that tliey were about to enter into a life 
of Ijappiness for which they believed nature had originally intended 
them. The fanaticism and superstition of these people were taken 
advantage of by their disaffected and designing leaders to encourage 
them to assume hostilities toward the government and white people. 

OUTBREAK PRECIPITATED. 

Short Bull, one of tlie Indians who had made the pilgrimage to 
Nevada, and who had become one of the acknowledged leaders of the 
hostile element, in a public harangue announced that he would 
shorten the time for a general uprising, and called upon all the 
warriors to assemble in wliat is known as the Mauvaises Terres or 
Bad Lands, on the White river, southwestern Soutii Dakota, in 
November, 1890. Short fiuH's speech interpreted, was as follows: 

My friends and relatives: — I will soon start this thing in 
running order. I have told you tliat this would come to pass in 
two seasons, but since the whites are interfering so much, 1 will 
advance the time from what my Father above told me to do so. 
Tlie time will be shorter. Therefore, you must not be afraid of 
anytliing. Some of my relations have no ears, so I will have them 
blown away. Now there will be a tree sprout up, and there all the 
members of our religion and the tribe must gather together. That 
will be tlie place where we will see our relations. But, before this 
time, we must dance the balance of this moon, at the end of which 
time the earth will shiver veiy liaid. Whenever this thing occurs 
I will start the wind to blow. We are the ones who will then see 
our fathers, mothers, and everybody. We, tlie tribe of Indians, are 
the ones who are living a sacred life. God, our Father, himself 
has told and commanded and shown me to do these things. Our 
Father in Heaven has placed a mark at each point of the four winds; 
first, a clay pipe, which lies at the setting of the sun and represents 
the Sioux tribe; second, there is a holy arrow lying at the north, 
which represents the Cheyenne tribe; third, at tlie rising of the sun, 
there lies hail, representing the Arrapahbe tribe; and fourth, there 



tlO A HISTORY OF 

lies a pipe and nice feather at the south, which represents the Crow 
tribe. My Father has shown me these things, therefore, we must 
continue this dance. Theie may be soldiers suiround you, but pay 
no attention to them, continue the dance. If the soldiers surround 
you four deep, three of you en wliom I have pub holy shirts will 
sing a song, which I have taught you, around them, when some of 
them will drop dead, then tlie rest will start to run, but their 
horses will sink into the earth; the riders will jump from their 
horses, bub they will sink into the earth also; then you can do as 
you desire with them. Now you must know this, that all the 
soldiers and that race will be dead; there will be only five thousand 
of thera left living on the earth. My friends and relations, this is 
straight and true. Now we must gather at Pass creek, wheie the 
tree is spiouting. There we will go among our dead relations. 
You must not take any earthly things with you. Tlien the men 
must take off all their clothing, and the women must do the same. 
No one shall be ashamed of exposing their persons. My Father 
above has told us to do this, and we must do as he says. You must 
oob be afraid of anything. The guns are the only things we are 
afraid of, but they belong to our Father in Heaven. . He will see 
that they do no harm. Whatever white men may tell you, do nob 
listen to them. My relations, this is all. I will now raise my 
hand up to my Father and close what he has said to you through me. 
This harangue was followed by the movement of some three 
thousand Indians from the Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations, to 
that rough, broken country of high buttes, ravines and impassable 
gulches. The hostile element on the Cheyenne and Standing Rock 
agencies were prepared to join them. As the following of Short 
Bull and Kicking Bear moved bo the Bad Lands they looted the 
homes of hundreds of Indians who had been trying for years to farm 
and in part support themselves, and carried with them many Indians 
who were peaceably disposed. This would have been the case on 
other reservations had not protectiuu been given to the loyally dis- 
posed and decided measures been taken to suppress the hostile element. 

THREATENED HOSTILITIES. 

The leaders who have been constantly and persistently hostile 
to every measure of civilization proclaimed there could be no better 
way of helping the prophecy and hastening the coming of the 
Messiali bhan by aiding in the removal of the white people, and to 
such disaffected, turbulent, hostile spirits as Sitting Bull, Kicking 
Bear, Short Bull, and obhers, this was the time for action. Nothing 
could be more gratifying to them, and the false prophets and medi- 
cine men immediately took advantage of the wretched condition of 
the Indians to spread disaffection among the different tribes. 

The runners of Sitting Bull, who for years had been the great 
war chief and the head center of the liostile element, traveled in 
various directions, but more especiall.\ to the bribes in the North 



SOUTH DAKOTA 111 

west, carrying liis messages to get ready for war and to get all the 
arms and ammunition po^isible, and for all tlie warriors to meet near 
the niack Hills in the sprinjj of 1S91. lie even sent emissaries 
beyond tlie boundary line of the United States to the Indian tribes 
In the liritish possessions, and promises of support were returned. 
The first serious disturl ance of any kind, was to be signal for the 
gathering of all the warriors from the difTeient tribes. 

The Indians luid, in the interim of peace, succeeded in getting 
together a large amount of ammunition and arms, particularly their 
favorite weapon, the Winchester rifle. Tliey were, consequently, 
far better prepared to wage a war than at any previous time in their 
history. As some of the delegates to the conclave in Nevada were 
not imbued with the peaceful teachings of the "Messiah," but were, 
on the contrary, disappointed, inasmuch as they had hoped to hear 
him teach some incendiary doctrine, the disaffection spread by 
Sitting Bull and other like spirits received tlieir hearty support, 
and they disseminated knowledge to the Indians not strictly con- 
forming to the Messiali's teachings, but more to their own, and the 
Indians were wrought up to a frenzy of wild excitement. 

The above information and much mora was gained from various 
sources chiefly while tlie division commander was engaged with the 
Northern Clieyenne Commission, visiting the various Indian reserva- 
tions during tlie latter part of October and the early part of November, 
1890, and through the department commanders and staff officers 
ordered to investigate the subject. As tiie control of Indian affairs 
was in the hands of Indian agents, the military could not and did 
not take action until the conspiracy had spread over a vast extent of 
country, and the most serious Indian war of our history was immi- 
nent. In fact, the peace of an area of country equal to an empire 
was in peril. The states of Nebraska, the two Dakotas, Montana, 
Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada, and the Territory of Utah, 
were liable to be overrun by a liungry, wild, mad horde of savages. 
The old tlieory, that the destruction of vast herds of buffalo had 
ended Indian wars, is not well founded. The same country is now 
covered witli domestic cattle and horses and the Indians would have, 
in what they believed to be a rigliteous crusade, looted the scattered 
homes and lived and traveled upon the domestic stock of tlie settlers. 
Pillage would have been followed by rapine and devastation. 

So general was the alarm of the citizens, the officials of the 
general government, the governors of states, and the press of that 
part of the country, that all earnestly appealed for aid and protec- 
tion for the settlements. 

A period of several years of peace and inactivity from serious field 
service had created a feeling of security on the part of the settlers and 
a degree of confidence on the part of the troops not warranted by the 
real condition of affairs. It was found that this period of peace had, 
to some extent, impaired the efficiency of the troops. This was 
noticeable in the want of proper equipment for field operations, 



112 . A HISTORY OF 

especially in transportation. Tiiere was a reasonable amount of 
transportation for the ordinary post or garrison service, but it was 
entirely inadequate for field operations. The time to prepare them 
for active campaigning was so short that they were hardly equipped 
before their services were required in the field. While the danger 
and alarm was general throughout the settlements and thousands of 
unfortunate people, whose homes were scattered throughout that 
vast territory, were sacrificing what little property they had to 
obtain transportation to move their families out of the country, 
leaving mucli of their property uncared for and unprotected, the 
hostile element of the different tribes was gathering strength and 
hastening the time for a general outbreak. With as little delay as 
possible troops were being properly prepared for field service and 
concentrated where their services would be available. 

It was the design of the division commander to anticipate the 
movements of the hostile Indians and arrest or overpower them in 
detail before they had time to concentrate in one large body, and 
it was deemed advisble to secure, if possible, the principal leaders 
and organizers, namely, Sitting Bull, and others, and remove them 
for a time from tliat counrty. To this end authority was given on 
November 25, 1890, to William F. Cody, a reliable frontiersman, 
whc has had much experience as chief of scouts, and who knew 
Sitting Bull very well, and had, perhaps, as much influence over 
him as any living man, to proceed to the Standing Rock Agency to 
induce Sitting Bull to come in with him, making such terms as he 
(Cody) might deem necessary, and if unsuccessful in this, to arrest 
him quietly and to remove him quickly from his camp to tlie nearest 
military station. He was authorized to take a few trusty men with 
him for that purpose. He proceeded to Fort Yates on the Standing 
Eock Reservation and received from Lieut. Col. Drum, commanding, 
the necessary assistance, but his mission was either suspected or 
made known to the friends of Sitting Bull, who deceived him as to 
his whereabouts. This had the efiiect of delaying the arrest for a 
time. 

At this time the division commander proceeded to Washington 
for the purpose of laying before the authorities the plans and measures 
to be taken to suppress the hostilities should they commence, and 
to supply the necessary food to keep the Indians from suffering. 
Authority was given to supply the necessary additional food out of 
the army appropriations, as a military necessity, and the Secretary 
of Interior also gave authority to issue the rations authorized by 
treaty of 1889. In addition, orders were given directing all the 
Sioux agencies to be placed practically under the control of the 
military, especially so far as related to the police and management 
of the Indians, and the civil agents were directed to comply with 
the orders received from the military authorities. Complying with 
the terms of the treaty so far as the ration was concerned went far, 
to retaining the loyalty of a good percentage of the Indians who 



SOUTH DAKOTA 113 

might otherwise liave become involved. This much liaving been 
accomplislied active measures were then taken to suppress the liostile 
element who were upon the verge of a general outbreak. 

ARREST AND DEATH OF SITTING BULIv. 

The first measure for the arrest of Sitting Bull having failed, 
orders were given on December 10, 1890, directing the commanding 
officer, Fort Yates, to make it his personal duty to secure the arrest 
of Sitting Bull without delay. Accordingly the commanding officer, 
Fort Yates, directed that certain troops of his command under 
Capt. Fechet go to Sitting Bull's camp and the remainder of the 
troops be held in readiness for service. Mr. McLaughlin, the Indian 
agent, selected a body of police (composed of Indians in whom he 
had confidence,) who were ordered to the camp of Sitting Bull to 
make the arrest, to be followed and supported by the troops under 
Capt. Fechet. Had Sitting Bull submitted to the arrest by tlie 
lawful authorities of the government, he would have been unharmed 
and probably alive today. Although urged to submit quietly by 
the men of his own race, clothed with the authority of the govern- 
ment, acting as police, he resisted, and made a determined effort 
to avoid going with them. In fact, he raised the cry of revolt, 
wliich gathered around him a strong force of his followers, numbering 
something like seventy-five warriors, who opened fire upon tlie police 
and a desparate fight ensued, in which Sitting Bull and seven of his 
warriors were killed and many wounded; not, however, without 
serious loss to the brave Indian policemen carrying out the orders of 
their agent and the officers of the government. Six of their number 
were killed and others seriously wounded. In fact, the whole 
number would have been massacred had it not been for the timely 
arrival of Capt. Fechet, who quickly made proper disposition of his 
force, and with his mounted men and one Hotchkiss gun, drove back 
the warriors surrounding the police and pursued them through the 
wooded country for several .miles. The action of Capt. Fechet was 
gallant, judicious, and praiseworthy, and it had the effect of striking 
the first and most serious blow to the hostile element, and of totally 
destroying it on that reservation. 

Regarding the death of Sitting Bull, his tragic fate was but the 
ending of a tragic life. Since the days of Pontiac, Tecumseh, and 
Red Jacket, no Indian has had the power of drawing to him so large 
a following of his race, and moulding and wielding it against the 
authority of the United States, or of inspiring it witli greater 
animosity against the white race and civilization. In his earlier 
years he had gained a reputation by constantly organizing and leading 
war and raiding parties; and, although not a hereditary chief, was 
the recognized head of the disaffected element when the Sioux were 
at war, and in his person was the exponent of the hostile element 
around which gathered tlie young, ambitious warriors of the different 
tribes, and his death, for which he alone was responsible, was a 



114, A HISTORY OF 

great relief to the country in which he had been the terror for many 
years. 

His followers who were not killed were pursued by the troops, 
a portion surrendered at the Standing Rock Agency, the others with 
the exception of thirty, went to the reservation to the south, where 
they were intercepted and surrendering their arms were taken to 
Forts, Bennett and Sully, where they were kept for serveral months 
under military surveillance. 

REMOVAL OF HUMP. 

The next important event was the removal of Hump, who had 
become disaffected on the Cheyenne river reservation, which was 
accomplished without violence. For seven years Capt. Ewers, Fifth 
U. S. Infantry, had had charge of this chief and his followers, and 
had gained their confidence and respect. 

At the request of the division commander, Capt. Ewers was 
ordered from Texas to South Dakota, and directed to put himself 
In communication with Hump. Hump was regarded as one of the 
most dangerous Indians In that part of the country. In fact, so 
formidable was he considered that the civil agents did not think it 
possible for Capt. Ewers to communicate with him. Capt. Ewers 
promptly acted upon his instructions, proceeded to Fort Bennett, 
and thence, with Lieut. Hale, without troops, 60 miles into the 
country to Hump's camp. Hump at the time was 20 miles away, 
and a runner was sent for him. Immediately upon hearing that Capt. 
Ewers was in the vicinity, he came to him, and was told that the 
division commander desired him to take his people away from the 
hostiles, and bring them to the nearest military post. He replied 
that "if Gen. Miles sent for him, he would do whatever he desired." 
He Immediately brought his people Into Fort Bennett, and complied 
with all the orders and instructions given him, and subsequently 
rendered valuable service for peace. Thus an element regarded as 
among the most dangerous was removed. All except thirty of Hump's 
following returned with him and Capt. Ewers to Fort Bennett. 
The remaining thirty broke away and joined Big Foot's band, which 
with the addition of twenty or thirty that had escaped from Sitting 
Bull's camp at Standing Rock Agency, increased his following to 
one hundred and sixteen warriors. Orders were then given for the 
arrest of this band under Big Foot, which was accomplished by the 
troops under Lieut. Col. Sumner on the 22d of December, 1890. 
Under the pretense that they (the Indians) would go to their agency 
at the mouth of the Cheyenne river, they, on the night of the 23d of 
December, eluded the troops and started south toward the Indian 
rendezvous in the Bad Lands, near White river, about 40 miles west 
of Pine Ridge Agency. 

DISPOSITION OF TROOPS. 

While this was being done, seven companies of the Seventh 
Infantry, under Col. Merriam, were placed along the Cheyenne river, 



SOUTH DAKOTA 115 

to restrain the Indians of tliat reservation and intercept tliose from 
Standing Rock, which had a very salutary elTect upon tlje Indians of 
both reservations. In the raeantime, a strong force liad been 
gathered at the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Agencies. Those at the 
Rosebud were under tlie command of Lieut. Col. Poland, composed 
of two troops of the jSiinth Cavalry and battalions of the Eighth and 
Twenty-first Infantry; Col. Shafter, witli seven companies of the 
First Infantry controlled the country to the south and west of the 
Rosebud Agency, with station at Fort Niobrara; those at Pine 
Ridge Agency, under the immediate command of Gen. Brooke, 
were eight troops of the Seventh Cavalry, under Col. Forsyth, a 
battalion of the Ninth Cavarly, under Maj. Ileniy, a battery of the 
First Artillery under Capt. Capron, a company of the Eighth Infantry, 
and eight companies of the Second Infantry under Col. Wheaton. 
West from Pine Ridge Agency was stationed a garrison of two 
Companies under Col. Tilford of the Ninth Cavalry; nortli of that with 
headquarters at Olerichs was stationed Lieut. Col. Sanford of the 
Ninth Cavalry, with three tiOops one each from the First, Second 
and Nintli Cavalry ; north of that on the line of the railroad at 
Buffalo (5ap, Capt. Wells, with two troops of the Eighth Cavalry and 
one troop of the Fifth Cavalry was stationed; north of that on the 
same railroad at Rapid City, Col. Carr of tiie Sixth Cavalry, with 
six troops was in command; along the south fork of the Cheyenne 
river Lieut. Col. Offley, and seven companies of the Seventeenth 
Infantry was stationed, and to the east of the latter command, Lieut. 
Col. Sumner, with three troops of the Eightli Cavalry, two companies 
of the Third Infantry, and Lieut. Robinson's company of scouts was 
stationed. Small garrisons were also stationed at Forts Meade, 
Bennett and Sully. Most of the force was placed in position between 
tlie large hostile camp in the Bad Lands, which had gatliered under 
Short laull and Kicking Bear, and tlie scattered settlers endangered 
by their presence. As the line under Col. Carr was considered the 
most liable to be brought in contact with the hostile force, the division 
commander established his temporary headquarters at Rapid City, 
South Dakota, wliere this force was in close communication, and 
from which their movements could be directed with the least delay. 

EFFORTS FOR PEACE. 

Every effort was made by Gen. Brooke in command at Pine 
Ridge and Rosebud to create dissension in tlie hostile camp and to 
induce as many Indians as possible to return to their proper reserva- 
tions. At the same time, the troops to the west formed a strong 
cordon which had the effect to gradually force the Indians back to 
the agency; the object being, if possible, to avoid conflict, altliough 
at any time from the 17th day of December, 1890, to the Ifjtli day of 
January, 1891, the troops could have engaged the Indians and a 
serious engagement would have been fought. Tlie effect would have 
been to kill a large number of the Indians, costing the lives of many 



116 A HISTORY OF 

officers~and'men,'and unless complete annihilation resulted, those 
who escaped would have preyed upon the settlements, and the result 
might have been a prolonged Indian war. 

The fact that the Indians had lost confidence in the government 
was a serious embarrassment to the military. They claimed that 
their lands had been taken and were then occupied by white settlers, 
which is true; arid that they had received no positive guaranty that 
tlie terms of the treaty they had made would be carried out. 

WOUNDED knee; creek AFFAIR. 

Although the camp of Big Foot had escaped the troops on the 
Cheyenne river, the troops on the south were moved so as to prevent 
him joining the hostile element, and orders were given to the troops 
under Col. Carr and Gen. Brooke not only to intercept the move- 
ment of Big Foot and party but to cause their arrest. This was 
accomplished by Maj. Whitside on the 28th day of December, 1890, 
who met Big Foot \j4 miles west of Porcupine creek, and demanded 
his surrender. The band submitted to it witliout resistance and 
moved with the troops 7 miles, where they were directed to camp, 
which they did in such position as the commanding officer directed. 
In order that no mistake might he made, and to have sufficient troops 
on the ground in case of resistance. Col. Forsyth was ordered by Gen. 
Brooke to join Maj. Whitside with four troops of cavalry, which, 
with the company ofscouts under Lieut, Taylor, made up a force of 
eight troops of cavalry, one company of scouts and four pieces of light 
artillery, a force of 470 fighting men against 106 warriors then present 
in Big Foot's band. A scouting party of Big Foot's band was out 
looking for the liostile camp of Short Bull and Kicking Bear, but as 
they (Short Bull and Kicking Bear) had been started from the Bad 
Lands and weie moving into Pine Ridge Agency, they were returning 
to l^ig Foot's band when the fight occurred on the morning of the 
29th of December, 1890. 

It was the intention to order Big Fcot's band to the railroad 
and then send it back to the reservation wliere it belonged, or out 
of the country for a time, in order to separate it from the other 
Indians. As they had not been within along distance of the hostile 
camp in tlie Bad Lands it was deemed advisable to keep them as 
far away as possible from it. 

Tlie unfortunate affair at Wounded Knee creek, December 29, 
1890, in which 30 officers and soldiers and 200 Indians (men, women 
and ciiildren) were killed or mortally wounded, prolonged the dis- 
turbance and made a successful termination more difficult. 

A number of the Indians that had remained peaceable at the 
Pine Ridge Agency became greatly alarmed on learning what had 
befallen the band of Big Foot, and some of the young warriors went 
to their assistance. These, returning with the intelligence of what 
had occurred, caused a general alarm, which resulted in some 3,000 



SOUTH DAKOTA 117 

leaving the camps located about the agency to join the hostiles and 
assume a threatening attitude. 

The Indians from the Had Lands, under Short Hull and Kicking 
Bear, would have camped that night (December 2!)) within 4 miles 
of the agency, but on hearing the news of the Big Foot disaster 
turned back and assumed a hostile attitude on White Clay creek 
about 17 miles from the Tine Ridge Agency. Thus, instead of the 
hostile camp under Short Bull and Kicking Bear camping within a 
short distance of the agency, the next day the J^otli of December, 
found the hostile camp augmented to nearly 4,000, and embracing 
more tlian a thousand wariiors. 

AFFAIR AT THE MISSION. 

On December 30th, a small band of Indians came near the 
Catholic Mission, 4 miles from the military camp at Pine Kid^e, 
and set fire to one of the small buildings. Col. Forsyth, witii eight 
troops of tlie Seventh Cavalry and one piece of artillery, was 
ordered by Gen. Brooke, to go out and drive them away. He moved 
out, the Indians falling back before his command with some skirmish- 
ing between tlie two parties, until they liad proceeded (i miles from 
the campab Pine Ridge. There tliecommand halted without occupy- 
ing tlie commanding hills, and was surrounded by the small force 
of Indians. Skirmisliing between the two parties followed. Col. 
Forsyth sent back three times for reinforcements, and fortunately 
Maj. Henry, witli four troops of the Ninth Cavalry and one Hotchkiss 
gun, was in the vicinity, and moved at once at the sound of the 
guns. Upon arriving on the ground he made proper disposition of 
his troops by occupying the adjacent hills and drove the Indians 
away without casualty, tiiereby rescuing the Seventii Cavalry from 
its perilous position. The Seventh Cavalry lost one officer (Lieut. 
Mann, mortally wounded) and one private killed and several wounded. 

From all information that could be obtained the Indians engaged 
in this affair did not number more than 60 or 70 young warriors. 
For his conduct on that day and the previous day, Col. Forsytii was 
relieved from command. 

RESULT AND OTHER AFFAIRS. 

These two affairs, namely, at Wounded Knee and what is known 
as the Mission tight, seriously complicated tlie situation and increased 
the difficulty of suppressing the outbreak. On the evening of the 
28tli of December everything indicated a settlement v\ithout a serious 
loss of life. The result may be summed up in the loss of nearly 200 
people, delay in bringing the Indians to terms, and caused ;},000 
Indians to be thrown into a condition of liostility witli a spirit of 
animosity, hatred and revenge. 

The spirit thus engendered, made it more difficult to force back, 
or restore the conOdence of the Indians, and for a time it looked as 
if the difliculty would be Insuimountable. 



118 . A HISTORY OF 

Oq December 30, 1890, the wagon train of the Ninth Cavalry 
was attacked by Indians and was repulsed by the troops guarding it. 
On January 3, 1891, an attack was made upon Capt. Kerr's troop of 
the Sixth Cavalry, then in position between Col. Carr and Lieut. 
Col. Oniey, and quickly and handsomely repulsed by that officer and 
his troop, aided by the prompt support of Maj. Tupper's battalion, 
followed by Col. Carr. These repulses had a tendency to clieck 
the westward movements of the Indians and to hold them in position 
along White Clay creek until their intense animosity had to some 
extent subsided. 

Realizing the importance of restoring confidence to those who 
were not disposed to assume hostilities, the division commander 
changed positions with Gen. Brooke and directed him to assume the 
immediate command of the troops encircling the hostile camp, and 
took station at Pine Ridge, where he could not only communicate 
directly with the camp but exercise a general supervision over all 
the commands. 

Having a personal knowledge extending over many years of 
those Indian.s, most of whose prominent leaders, including Broad 
Trail, Little Hawk, Kicking Bear, and Short Bull, had surrendered 
to me on the Yellowstone ten years before, I was enabled to bring 
them to reason and restore confidence. 

Fortunately, Congress appropriated funds necessary for comply- 
ing with the obligations of the Sioux treaty, and the division com- 
mander was enabled to assure the Indians that the government would 
respect their rights and necessities. 

Messengers were immediately sent representing to them the 
injudicious policy of contending against the authorities, and assuring 
them that there was only one safe road, and that was toward the 
agency to surrender. They were also advised that the powerful 
commands were so distributed in the immediate vicinity of their 
camps and at the most important points as to intercept them should 
they break through the line, but if they would comply witii the 
directions of the division commander, they would be assured of his 
support in order to obtain their rights and privileges undei their 
treaties with the government. They weie also informed at the same 
time that unnecessary acts of violence were disapproved by the 
authorities; and they must decide whether the military should be 
their friend or their enemy. 

While the troops were exercising the utmost vigilance and 
constant care in inclosing the large camp of Indians, leaving as far 
as practicable no outlet for them to escape and steadily pressing them 
back toward Pine Ridge Agency, every effort was made to restore 
their confidence and compel them to return to their agencies. 

Fortunately at that time a change had been made in the admin- 
istration of their afTairs. Their supplies of food had been increased 
and properly distributed, and officers in whom they had confidence, 
and whom they had known for years, were placed jn charge. Capt, 



SOUTH DAKOTA 119 

Hurst was given general supervision at tlie Cheyenne River Agency; 
Capt. Lee at "Rosebud Agency; Capt. Ewers was placed in ciiarge of 
the Cheyennes, and Capts. Pierce and Dougheity in charge of Pine 
Ridge. Subsequently, Capt. Penney was appointed as acting Indian 
agent at Pine Ridge. 

THE SURRENDER. 

Under these circumstances, with the assurance of good faith at 
the agencies and from the government, and held by strong coidon of 
troops encircling them they were gradually pressed back to the 
agency, and on the 15th of January, moved up White Clay creek and 
encamped within easy range of the guns of the large command, under 
Col. Shafter, stationed at Pine Ridge, the troops under Gen, lUooke 
following immediately behind them, almost pusliing them out of 
their camps. On the next day tljey moved farther in and encamped 
under the guns of the entire command and surrendered their entire 
force of nearly 4,(»0o people. The troops were moved into three strong 
camps of easy communication, occupying the three points of a tri- 
angle, with the Indian camp in the center in close proximity to 
tlie troops. 

While in this position they surrendered nearly 200 rifles, and 
were complying witli every order and instruction given them; yet 
the information that was frequently received at the time of the 
finding of the bodies of Indians (men, women and cljildren) scattered 
over the prairies, and their knowledge of the number in the liospitals, 
the wounded in tlie Indian camp, and the other casualties that had 
occurred to them, caused a feeling of great distress and animosity 
throughout the Indian camp. Yet sufficient arms had been surren- 
dered to sliow their good faith. Tliese arms, together witlr what 
had been taken at other places, viz., in tlie Wounded l\nee affair 
and at the Cheyenne and Standing Rock Reservation, aggregated in 
all between GOO and 700 guns; mere than the Sioux Indians had ever 
surrendered at any one time before. Tliis was a sufficient guaranty 
of good faith ;but in order to make it doubly sure, and as they had 
agreed to comply with every direction given them by the division 
commander, they were informed that he required the persons of 
Kicking Bear and Short Hull, the two leaders of the liostiles, and at 
least twenty other warriors of the same class. As tliey had agreed 
to comply with every order given tliem, these men came forward 
and volunteered to go as hostages for the good faith of their people 
and as an earnest of their disposition to ruaintain peace in tlie future. 
Tliese men were placed in wagons and sent 20 miles to the railroad, 
and thence by rail to Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where it was the 
purpose of the division commander to retain them until sucli time 
as it might be necessary to guarantee a permanent peace. 

Knowing the Indians had well-founded grievances, he requested 
authority to send 10 men representing the different elements of the 
Sioux nation, and chiefly the loyal and well-disposed portion, to 



120 A HISTORY OF 

Washington, D. C, to enable them to represent their aflfairs to the 
authorities, and to tell their own story. This party included some 
of the best and wisest counselors, the ablest and most loyal friends 
of the government living upon the Sioux reservations. 

Thus ended what at one time threatened to be a serious Indian 
war, and the frontier was again assured of peace and safety from 
Indians who a few weeks prior had been a terror to all persons living 
in that sparsely populated country. Too much credit cannot be 
given tlie troops, who endured the hardships and sustained the 
honor, character and integrity of the service, risking their lives in 
their effort to restore peace and tranquility, placing themselves 
between a most threatening body of savages and the unprotected 
settlements of the frontier in such a way as to avoid the loss of a 
single life of any of the settlers and establishing peace in that 
country with the least possible delay. In fact, the time consumed 
in solving the most difficult problem was remarkably brief, it being 
but fourteen days from the time Sitting Bull was arrested to the 
time the Indians were moving in to surrender, and would have 
encamped within four miles of the agency had not the disaster at 
Wounded Knee occurred. Notwithstanding this unfortunate affair, 
the time occupied was only thirty-two days from the time of the 
arrest of Sitting Bull until the whole camp of four thousand Indians 
surrendered at Pine Eidge, South Dakota. 



APPENDIX I. 

THE SPANISH WAR. 
FIRST CAVALRY BRIGADE, THIRD REGIMEXT U. S. VOLS. 

This regiment of cavalry was known a Grigsby's Cowboys and 
was recruited under a special commission, by Col. Melvin Grigsby, 
of Sioux Falls, who was made commander of the brigade with the 
pay of a brigadier general Five of tlie troops, to-wib, A, B, C, D, 
and E were composed of South Dakota men. The following is the 
roster of the officers of the regiment and of the five South Dakota 
troops : 

Melvin Grigsby, Colonel; Charles F. Loyd, Lieutenant Colonel; 
Robert W. Stewart, Major; Otto L. Sues, Adjutant; Ralph W. 
Parliman Quarter-master; Golon S. Clevenger, Chapalin. 

TROOP A. DEADWOOD. 

Seth Bullock, Captain; Myron E. Wells, 1st Lieutenant; James 
E. Cusick, 2d Lieutenant. 

TROOP B. SIOUX FALLS. 

John Foster, Captain; George Grigsby, 1st Lieutenant; John 
N. Wright, 2d Lieutenant. 

TROOP C. BELLE FOURCHE. 

George E. Ilaire, Captain: Rush Spencer Wells, 1st Lieutenant; 
Almond B. Wells, 2nd Lieutenant. 

TROOP D. STURGIS. 

John E. Hammon, Captain; Daniel F. Connor, 1st Lieutenant; 
Walter L. Anderson, 2nd Lieutenant. 

TROOP E. PIERRE. 

Josepli B. Binder, Captain; John W. Lauglilin, 1st Lieutenant; 
Lowell G Fuller, 2d Lieutenant. 



APPENDIX J. 

South Dakota furnisbed a full regiment of infantry and five 
troops of cavalry for this war. The regimental and company organ- 
izations, at date of muster in, are given herewith: 

FIRST SOUTH DAKOTA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. 

Colonel, Alfred S. Frost, Pierre; Lieutenant Colonel, Lee 
Stover, Watertown; Major, Chas. A.Howard, Aberdeen; Major, 
"William F. Allison, Brookings; First Lieutenant, Eeg. Ajt., Jonas 
A. Lien, Sioux Falls, killed March • 27, 1899; First Lieutenant 
Quarter-master, Henry Murray, Ft. Meade; Surgeon, Rodell C. 
Warne, Mitchell; Asst. Surgeon, Adalbert H. Bowman, De&dwood; 
Asst. Surgeon, Frederick H. Cox, Vermilion; Chaplain, Chas. M. 
Daly, Huron; Sergeant Major, Roy M. Stover, Watertown; Q. M. 
Sergeant, M. D. McMahon, Pierre; Chief Musician, Frank M. 
Halstead, Madison; Principal Musician, Chas. E. Mulinex, Sioux 
Falls; Principal Musician, Frank H, Shrader, Madison; Hospital 
Steward, Hubert, J. Barker, Spearfish; Hospital Steward, Chas. 
F. Clancey, Garreston; Hosiptal Steward, Harry M. Fletcher, 
Deadwocd. 

CO. A. PIERRE. 

Capt. Arthur L. Fuller, Pierre; First Lieutenant, William M. 
Hazel, Brookings; Second Lieutenant, Munson Z. Guthrie, Pierre; 
First Sergeant, George F. Barker, Pierre, Q M. Sergeant, Amariah 
Eathmoll, Pierre, Sergeants, Edward A. Beckwith, William C. 
Notmeyer, Wellington Oldfield, Pierre; Clarence Kiser, Sioux Falls; 
Corporals, Harry Johnson, Edwin M. Spurling, John W. Wilson, 
Peter T. Bayard, Covert N. House, Pierre; Ernest E. Goding, Sioux 
Falls. 

CO. B. SIOUX FALLS. 

Capt. Alonzo B. Sessions, Sioux Falls; First Lieutenant, John 
C. Fox, Sioux Falls; Second Lieutenant, Edward E. Hawkins, 
Sioux Falls; First Sergeant, Walter S. Doolittle, Sioux Falls; Q. 
M. Sergeant, Donald H. Fox, Sioux Falls; Sergeants, Arthur, K. 
Schlosser, Chas. D. Butler, William Hill, Harry C. Schlosser, Sioux 
Falls; Corporals, Arthur W. Swenson, Carl W. Anthony, James A. 
Jones, Erick J. Aslesen, Nathaniel W. Stewart; Howard W. Simp- 
son, Sioux Falls. 

CO. C, YANKTON. 

Capt., William S. Gray; First Lieutenant, Leo F. Foster, 
Yankton; Second Lieutenant, Samuel G. Larson, Yankton; First 
Sergeant, Peter McGillis, Yankton; Q. M. Sergeant, Wm. Fahren- 



SOLTH DAKOTA 123 

wald, Yankton; Sergeants, Geo. F. English, Arthur D. Russell, 
Chauncey W. Owens, Frank B. Stevens, Yankton; Corporal?, John 
L. Russell, Fredeiick E. Vinson, Frederick Alberts, Thomas h. 
O'Gara, Maurice L. Blatt, Sidney J. Cornell, Yankton. 

CO. D. WORTHING. 

Capt., Clayton P. VanlTouten, Worthing; First Lieutenant, 
Ludvvig L. Dynna, Canton, Second Lieutenant, Geo. E.Jennings, Claik ; 
First Sergeant, Ernest Madden, Worthing; Q. M. Sergeant, Wro. E. 
Green, Worthing; Sergeants, Ileniy F. Geiber, John O. Larson, 
Worthing; Victor M. Dalthorp, Jieresford; George S. Benedict, 
Canton; Corporal, Elias K. Eliason, Herbert L. Wood, Leon Hull, 
Worthing; Arthur F. Rust, Elkpoint; Earl R. Grinnell, Beresford. 

CO. E. DESMET. 

Capt., George M. Lattin, Desiuet; First Lieutenant, Harris J. 
Hubbard, Desraet; Second Lieutenant, Sidney E. Morrison, killed 
Marcli 27, succeeded by John Holman; First Sergeant, David Lindsay, 
Desmet; Q. M. Sergeant, Louis W. Hubbaid, Desmet; Sergeant, 
Delbeit J. Wilmarth, William J. Barnes, Edgar B. Ricker, Ole E. 
Gulbranson, Desmet; Corporals, Eben W. Troupe, Nelson A. Hoberg, 
Peiry C. Bishop, Arthur A. Northrop, William J. McNamara, 
Desmefc. 

CO. F. ABERDEEN. 

Capt., Chas L. Biockway, Aberdeen; First Lieutenant, Palmer 
D. Sheldon, Aberdeen: Second Lieutenant, Fred C. Huntington, 
Aberdeen; First Sergeant, Fred H. Parks, Aberdeen ;Q. M. Sergeant, 
John R. Kelly, Aberdeen; Sergeants, Frank M. Bennett, Hiram A. 
Piatt, Geo. W. Moulton, Aberdeen; Corporals, Cha^i. P. Green, 
Leon S. Richmond, Joseph E. C. Collins, David S. Marker, Otto A. 
Anderson, Geo. L. Keating, Aberdeen. 

CO. G. HURON. 

Capt., Robert R. McGregor, Ft. Meade; First Lieutenant, 
Olin M. Fisk, Gettysburg; Second Lieutenant, William Hazel; 
First Sergeant, James R. Keeling, Huion; Q. M. Sergeant, Wm. A. 
Alexander, Huron; Sergeants, Oscar W. Coursey, Samuel F. How, 
Oliver Nelson, Huron; John P. Lus, Elkton; Corporals, Jeiry C. 
Truman, Clarence A. Strong, Harry O. Thompson, Chas. S. O'Brien, 
John A. Russell, Huron; Ephriam Sloan, Clark. 

CO. H. WATERTOWN. 

Capt., Chas. H. Englesby, Watcrlown; First Lieutenant, Frank 
H. Adams, Watertovvn, killed at Marilalo, March 27; Second Lieu- 
tenant, Fred L. Burdick, Watertown; First Sergeant, Harry J. 
Mowrey, Watertovvn; Frank S. Monger, Watertown; Sergeants, 
Walter F. Miller, Guy S. Kelly, Hugh D. McCosliam, Harold J. 



124 . A HISTORY OF 

Schu]],Watertown; Corporals, Osceola Carpenter, William A. Wlialey, 
Howard S. SmiLh, Geo. T. Hipp, Geo. D. Moore, Homer Warfield, 
"VVatertown. 

CO. I. CUSTER. 

Capt., Clias. S. Denny, Custer; First Lieutenant, Paul D. 
McClelland, Custer ; Second Lieutenant, Horace C. Bates, Flandreau; 
First Seigeant, Wilbur D. Todd, Custer; Q. M. Seigeant, Oliver C. 
Lapp, Keystone; Sergeants, Hezekiah Putman, William Wiehie, 
John C Wells, Tliomas I. Fenwiclf, Custer; Corporals, William F. 
Hill, Theodore Keeder, Orris J. Putman, Custer; Chas. Cantield, 
Keystone; David J. Ferris, Sioux Falls; Boyd Wales, Howard. 

CO. K. BROOKINGS. 

Capt., Harry A. Hageman, Brookings; First Lieutenant, Geo. 
W. Roskie, Brookings ;Second Lieutenant, Oscar F. Smith, Brookings; 
First Sergeant. Gustave Riemer, Brookings; Q. M. Sergeant, Edwin 
E. Mann, Okoboji; Sergeants, Isaiah Cranston, Geo. D. Schlosser, 
Frank E. Harkins, Homer I. Coxhead, Brookings; Corporals, Fred 
W. Cuckow, Albert J. Messerschmidt, Theodore Wosnuk, Hans M. 
Korstad, William H. Gray, Chas. M. Way, Brookings. 

CO. L. SPEARFISH. 

Capt., William McLaughlin, Spearfish; First Lieutenant, J. Q. 
A. Braden, Aberdeen; Second Lieutenant, George H. Crabtree, 
Spearflsh ; First Sergeant, Amos Patriquin, Spearfish ; Q. M. Sergeant, 
Anton Jurich, Spearfish; Sergeants, Earl Whaley, William T. 
Ledeboer, Geo G. Ainsworth. Robt. B. Ross, Spearfish; Corporals, 
Jay E. Rundell, John L. Wells, Edwin A. Watson, Gus. A. Holton, 
Moses M. Bowen, Otto T. Craig, Spearfish. 

CO. M. RAPID CITY. 

Capt., Frank M. Medbury, Rapid City; First Lieutenant, Chas. 
S. Hunt, Rapid City; Second Lieutenant, Evan E. Young, Rapid 
City; First Sergeant, Robert T. Carr, Rapid City; Q. M. Sergeant, 
Chas. B. Preacher, Rapid City, died from wounds; Sergeants, Elmer 
H. Olmstead, William L. Shoettiler, Boyd Lambert, John W. Piatt, 
Rapid City, Corporals, Elisha Olmstead, William B. Smith, Frank 
P. McMalion, Henry J. Spethman, William H. Nelson, Luther 
McNutt, Rapid City. 



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